Inside A5 Valentine Gala to benefit two nonprofits
Powhatan, Virginia
B1 Big second-half efforts key Powhatan girls, BSH boys to victories
Vol. XXXIII No. o. 30
January 22, 2020
School board adopts pre-Labor Day calendar By Laura McFarland Editor
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OWHATAN – The Powhatan County School Board last week voted 3-2 in favor of adopting a calendar for the 20202021 school year with a pre-Labor Day start. The decision at the board’s meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14 marked the end of a months-long
discussion that involved the school board, staff, parents, and students. The board’s decision means the first day of the 2020-2021 school year will be Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. The fall semester will finish on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, before the Winter Break. When schools start back on Jan. 4, 2021, it will be the start of a new marking period and a new semester. The school year will
finish on June 4, 2021. Chairman Joe Walters, who represents District 4, Rick Cole, District 1, and Valarie Ayers, District 3, voted in favor of adopting the pre-Labor Day start calendar. Susan Smith, District 2, and Kim Hymel, District 5, voted against it. In July 2019, legislation went into effect that would allow divisions that haven’t already sought a waiver to start their school year
up to two weeks prior to Labor Day. Those divisions that do choose to start early are required to be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. The decision by the board came after months of discussion, two school district surveys, input from the division’s calendar committee, and four presentations to the school board, said Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent. His recommendation from the
staff was for the board to adopt a pre-Labor Day start because of instructional benefits to students and teachers. During its presentations, the division has presented numerous ways the earlier start would be a benefit. Starting two weeks early allows additional instruction for students completing regional and national assessments in the Spring each year. It also enables see BOARD, pg. 7
Spanberger files bill inspired by local firefighter battling cancer By Laura McFarland Editor
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Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
POWHATAN – A Powhatan firefighter’s battle with cancer has inspired a bipartisan bill introduced in the House of Representatives that would provide veteran firefighters with the fair compensation, healthcare, and retirement benefits earned through their service. Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, introduced a bill on Thursday, Jan. 15 called the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act. The bill was inspired by Mike Lecik, a 40-year-old Powhatan resident who served as a U.S. Air Force firefighter and was twice deployed to the Middle East. He then transitioned to the
civilian fire service, both professionally and as a volunteer with the Huguenot Volunteer Fire Department in his spare time. In January 2019, Lecik was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer that has been tied to the high-risk, carcinogenic workplace conditions that come with being a military firefighter. The Veterans Health Administration does not currently cover Lecik’s significant treatment costs, as the U.S. DepartPHOTO COURTESY OF ABIGAIL SPANBERGER’S OFFICE ment of Veterans Affairs Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger filed (VA)—in many cases— a bill on Jan. 15 inspired by local firefighter does not recognize the Mike Lecik’s battle to get coverage. direct service connection between firefighting and cording to a release from a military firefighter until cancer as a presumptive Spanberger’s office. his discharge in 2008. service-connected disAfter enlisting in the The Michael Lecik ability beyond one year U.S. Air Force in Octosee FIREFIGHTER pg. 8 following active duty, ac- ber 1999, Lecik served as
WALTERS
HYMEL
Walters, Hymel elected to lead again in 2020 By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County School Board last week voted unanimously to elect Joe Walters as its chairman for the fourth-straight year. Walters, who represents District 4, was once again approved unanimously by his fellow board members in a vote taken at the board’s first meeting of the year on
Tuesday, Jan. 14. Kim Hymel was also unanimously re-elected as the board’s vice chairwoman, marking her second year in the position. The school board reorganizes every January for the upcoming year. Walters, who is starting his fifth year on the school board, said he once again appreciated his fellow board members’ votes of confidence see ELECTED, pg. 3
Flat Rock teachers surprised with gift of new workspace By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – The teachers and staff of Flat Rock Elementary School had a surprise waiting for them when they started back for their spring semester. Unbeknownst to them, the school’s PTO and a team of administrators and coaches had teamed up to give them an oasis of calm in an often hectic little world.
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Flat Rock Elementary teachers meet in their new teacher workspace.
After weeks of planning, a small group of staff members came in during the winter break and converted an old computer lab into a new teacher workspace that can be used by all, said Christy Berry, Flat Rock PTO president. The room has two purposes – providing a small breakroom when teachers and staff need to collect themselves and also offering a relaxing space when educators see SURPRISE, pg. 6
Stars in Motion dedicates Winter Gala to first responders By Laura McFarland Editor
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OWHATAN – Tom Nolan said his feet are big enough to supply four left feet, et, so stepping onstage in the auditorium at Powhatan High School to do a dance in public was a bit nerve-wracking. When a call went out among local first responder nder agencies in the county to participate in a dance nce number at Stars in Motion’s tion’s seventh annual Winter Gala on Jan. 12, Nolan, who is director of the department of public safety communications, said he wasn’t sure he was ready to sign up. If he had known he PHOTOS BY LAURA McFARLAND
Stars in Motion dedicated its Winter Gala to honor local first responders and raise money for the sheriff’s office. Owner Sara Christman, top left, taught some first responders so they could join in a dance during the show, right.
would be dancing in front of more than 400 people, he admited he doesn’t know if he would have volunteered. But the knowledge that thee Powhatanschool wanted to honor lobased dance scho responders during the cal first respond he convinced him. event convin see STARS, pg.. 6