Thursday
cuts being forced on our public school system by this continued from > page 6 Superintendent? What more will it take before we all say, and a large proportion of “enough is enough�? these budget cuts, right back into the Instruction categoJane Christie ry. Manakin Sabot The $100,000 surplus for Instruction has been magically transformed into a Retired teacher massive deficit, which the concerned over Superintendent now plans to school cuts resolve by firing teachers and canceling student programs. I am an art educator And all this, without cutting retired from the Goochland a single high-paid adminisCounty Public Schools, partration position in two years ent of two children who – not even vacant ones! graduated from GHS in 2004 Employment terminaand 2006. I graduated from tion notices have already GHS in 1971. Both of my been delivered to the Drama children are teachers, one in and French teachers at the the visual arts in Gloucester secondary school, and the Co. and the other in southArt and Music teachers at east Arkansas employed by Randolph Elementary, even Teach for America (teaching though the School Board Algebra I to 8th graders). does not even meet to I have been volunteering approve the Superintendent’s and mentoring students at proposal until May 24. GHS and Byrd Elementary The next School Board School during the 2010-11 meeting is at 6.30 p.m. school year. on Tuesday, May 24 at I attended the Better than Goochland High School. Ever GMS Fine Arts Program Will parents, teachers, School last night! It brought back so Board members and citizens many wonderful memories of remain meek and mute in my own children participatthe face of this continuing ing in like programs. I was so travesty? Or will this comproud of the students, teachmunity come together and ers and parents! reject the endless teacher However, my heart was terminations and program
Letters
THIS WEEKEND
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OPINION: Letters to the Editor
May 19, 2011
aching last night due to morning emails from my former colleagues and word on the street. Apparently, several outstanding teachers and programs received news they were being cut. I just couldn’t believe it! I know the quality that exists for our county students! I’ve been online this morning trying to find the “hit� list. I started with recent School Board Meeting minutes. I have never met Mrs. Christie, but, I applaud her research and suggestions (i.e. not filling vacancies at CO) to save money to keep our current teachers and programs. I read the Mission Statement on the GCPS website. The posted Mission Statement read as follows: Our efforts will focus on meeting the intellectual, personal, social, and career preparation needs of all students. I submitted the following suggestion to the call for public input: I agree with the statement “meeting the intellectual, personal, social, and career preparation needs of all students�. The key word is ‘all’. As a professional educator, I know ALL students do not learn in the same way. You have visual, auditory and haptic (handson) learners. That is why the
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arts, technology, and vocational approaches in teaching the children of Goochland County MUST be included in this mission. We want to graduate creative productive citizens. I will write to my Board of Supervisors and the School Board members, but, I also would like to see the latest list of cuts. I am greatly disturbed. In the 18 years I taught in the GCPS, we made tremendous strides. Before that, I taught in Chesterfield Co. I would put our schools right up there with the best! Now, I am so upset. For years, it has seemed a game of asking and giving between the two boards. Who is suffering? Our children! They are our future! As a tax payer, I am not pleased. Sandra T. Barkley Goochland
www.goochlandgazette.com
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