COMMUNITY
MONPELIER
Yard sale to benefit The Arc of Hanover
Family Fiber Days set at Patrick Henry's Scotchtown PAGE
2
PAGE
15
Vol. 6 No. 33 | Richmond Suburban News | April 14, 2021
Proposed employee raises supported at hearing By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local
H
ANOVER – The Hanover County Board of Supervisors will consider a $513 million FY2022 budget this week that includes significant pay raises for employees and teachers, enhanced public safety investments, and funds future construction projects. It maintains the county’s current real estate tax rate of 81 cents per $100 of assessed value too. Last week, the public had the opportunity to express their comments at a public hearing on this year’s proposal that represents an 8.7% increase over last year’s General Fund allotment. A majority of the comments endorsed the plan to increase employee salaries and repair
dated step increase systems that provide inadequate raises for tenured employees. John Szewczyk of the Virginia Professional Educators spoke on behalf of both Hanover professional teacher associations, the Hanover Professional Educators and the Hanover Education Association, and encouraged supervisors to approve the budget as presented. He said the 2.5% increase in teachers’ salaries approved earlier this year in the Hanover County School Board’s budget, coupled with the additional raises announced late last month, results in pay increases of 4.5% for all teachers. With the salary compression adjustments, some teachers could receive as much as 7.8% increases. With other localities providing substan-
tial increases in employee and teacher salary increases, Szewczyk said the increases and enhancements are a step in the right direction in keeping the county competitive in attracting the best educators for a system he described as one of the best in the state. In addition to the obvious benefits of salary increases for teachers and its effect on academic achievement for Hanover students, Szewczyk said that investment pays dividends in a variety of ways. “That investment pays massive dividends in terms of opportunities for our citizens, but it also impacts the local economy in a major way,” Szewczyk said. “Companies that are considering expansion look carefully at the quality of a prospective locality’s public schools before making a decision to leave or relocate.”
Henry District resident Charlie Waddell told the supervisors that he doesn’t know anyone who will personally benefit from those employee raises, but he heartily endorsed the increases and the FY2022 proposal. Through numerous personal interactions with county employees, Waddell said he appreciates the professionalism and knowledge displayed by a dedicated group of employees. He said retaining those employees is vital to the county’s continued success. The increased salaries would, in Waddell’s opinion, increase productivity and commitment on the part of those employees. “It’s a continuing investment in our future,” he concluded. Former teacher and parent of Hanoversee RAISES, pg. 7
Stamey returns to lead Hanover Habitat’s next home to county Parks & Rec be built in Ragan Phillips’ memory HANOVER -- Derek coordinator for Athletics from Stamey, a 17-year veteran of 2007-2009. For the last local government in 12 years, Stamey this area, has been had worked named the new for Goochland director of Parks County. Most & Recreation for recently, he served Hanover County. as Goochland’s Stamey started deputy county on Thursday, April administrator for 1, and replaces Greg Operations, providSager, who retired in ing oversight to the December. STAMEY Parks & Recreation It’s Stamey’s Department and second tenure in other functions such as Animal Hanover, where he worked Convenience in the Parks & Recreation Protection, Department
as
recreation
see STAMEY, pg. 4
(Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Amanda Gunter, director of Community Engagement, Hanover Habitat for Humanity.) ASHLAND – As a member of the Hanover Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, Ragan Phillips left an exceptional mark not only on his fellow board members and the staff, but more importantly on the families Habitat serves. As one of Phillips’ last powerful acts of kindness, he provided a matching gift to support Habitat families. “The way in which this community has shown kindness is powerful,” Phillips said. “It is finally dawning on me that most people are kind and that this is
what makes our society work.” Surrounded by family, Phillips peacefully passed away March 26, 2020. As his obituary stated, “we grieve his absence but celebrate his life, and thank him for showing us that being exceptional is a choice open to all of us.” “He learned what he had to, and he changed, and so he made himself exceptional.” A year ago these words by Wendell Berry were placed on the marquee at the Ashland Theatre to honor one of the Ashland’s most beloved residents. Remembering Phillips and honoring his wife, Phyllis Theroux, and daughter, Meg Pienkowski and family, Hanover
Habitat’s next home will be built in his memory. Construction has not yet begun on the North Center Street home in the Town of Ashland, but Habitat’s next homeowner, Tyree, dreams of owning a home of his own. see HABITAT, pg. 4