You stated during a budget workshop that the recent budget process had been one of the most difficult you can recall. What made this year particularly difficult?

In a nutshell, we are dealing with increasing obligations with fewer dollars to meet them. As we open a new school with start-up costs projected at $1.3 million in addition to our current budget, improve instruction through additional courses and programs, and attempt to maintain competitive salaries for our teachers, we find ourselves in a situation where the increase in revenues from the state is significantly lower than we have come to rely upon. For example, normally in the first year of the biennial state budget, we receive between $1.5 to $2 million dollars in new money. This coming year, the state’s increase over this year’s budget is expected to be $694,548. Keep in mind that our funding is from three major sources, the locality, the state, and the federal government. Since over 50% of our revenue comes from the state, the current reduction is very difficult to overcome. The Board of Supervisors has been very supportive but they can only do so much given other county responsibilities.

The new elementary school will require additional staffing, supplies and materials, and building operating costs. Our first calculations were well over $2 million but we were able, with the help of the county administration, to use some construction fund interest as a funding source for many of these items.

An additional concern is the cost of fuel. In such an unstable market, we could well exceed the amount that we have budgeted in this area.

We have a great school system that is the result of many people working very hard. Unfortunately, the quality of our educational program, will be in jeopardy without adequate funding. We have eliminated many new positions that we felt would be needed. As a result, class sizes will likely be larger next year.

What would you like to communicate to County residents about how the school division is managing its finances? Do you think there are misconceptions about the process?
The school finances are managed very well. We use established accounting procedures and have consistently maintained quality programs while living within our means. Our achievements far exceed other school divisions yet we spend about $1200 less than the average per pupil cost in the state. It’s no secret that the Powhatan county school division has been publicly recognized for academic achievements, as well other accomplishments in other areas of student involvement.

I do not know of any specific misconceptions. I do believe that without being closely involved in the operations of the school system, it very difficult for people to fully understand them. It just takes a great deal of time and study, which people do not have these days. Everyone is busy making a living and raising their families. But, it would be wonderful if more people could get involved.

Why was securing the raise for teachers a priority for you?
It is important to attract and retain the best teachers and other staff that we can. Just like any other profession, hiring teachers is a competitive business. We want our salaries to be comparable to other school divisions. What occurs in the classroom is the most important part of our efforts. We want the very best people to accomplish that goal.

What, in your opinion, is the greatest challenge the school system is facing right now?
The greatest challenge is maintaining the best quality educational system for the children of Powhatan in the face of greater responsibilities and inadequate funding from the state.

What is the greatest change you have seen in the way the children are educated over the past 10 years?
With the introduction of the Standards of Learning and the federal No Child Left Behind requirements, education has become based upon specific learning objectives. I see this as a good thing. Here in Powhatan we stress that education is more than just learning objectives, so while we value our standard curriculums we are not afraid to introduce creative forms of teaching and learning. Teachers have a great deal of leeway in how they deliver the curriculum as long as they deliver it.

Children are not machines. They certainly need to achieve learning objectives to prepare them for the world. But we need to do so in a nurturing environment. In Powhatan, that level of caring is just as much a part of the system’s goals as the academic learning process.

$45.1 million
Amount of money allocated to the Powhatan County School Board by the Board of Supervisors

$350,000
Amount the Board of Supervisors asked the School Board to trim from its proposed budget

$96,000
Amount of money pulled from the schools’ budget Monday after the Board decided not to purchase security cameras for some schools ($53,000) and to eliminate the position of secretary to the Superintendent