Make cuts in all staff salaries including the board.  Encourage homeschooling.  If a student wants to play in a sport, then they should pay for their own gear and transportation.  No “free” lunches.  Consider a small transportation fee for students riding a bus.

Bitch session? We are fighting to keep librals from destroying our way of life, with their bleeding heart handouts to public education. Third world countries like India are taking us to the cleaners cause they know private schools are a better way to educate children. Good way to keep the undesirables out of school too.

Well after reading some of the comments, it has occured to me that all this is is a flat out bitch session for the community.

All I have to say is wow!  Vickie, you clearly did not think about what you wrote.  Do you really think that families recieve free breakfast and lunch just because they are not responsible.  Do you really think the school just says, “hey these parents are not responsible let’s give this kid free stuff”  Did it EVER occur to you that we have parents who are quite responsible but have lost their jobs due to the current economy and can no longer find work. But I guess you can’t comprehend that.  No, instead you would rather punish these people even further for not being able to work.  You would rather starve their kids.  I mean breakfast is only the most important meal of the day.  Why not deprive that kid of breakfast and the opportunity to have food in his stomach, so he can learn.  Now is that any way to treat our children. 
As for sports.  Did you know that for many of our students that is all they have?  That is one of the single things that gets many kids through school.  It gives them the motivation to get up and go to school.  It motivates them to get good grades.  They must have a certain grade point average to participate in sports.  I guess you never realized that the fund raisers they have pays for uniforms.
Oh Vickie, I truely hope that you do not become a victim of this economy.  However, I am sure you would be one of the first people complaining about there not being free or reduced lunches anymore for your hungry children.  Its funny how we do not care about others when we feel we are in a better place than them.  Just remember tomorrow is promised to no one, and your life could change at the drop of a hat.

Vickie P..

  Do away with after school sports??? Are you crazy?? Do you realize how much money the school makes from football games???? That would be insane to do away with something that generates that much income.. Also, why would you wanna take away a kids dream of playing on his high school team?

Vickie P~~ I agree with you on some areas on cutting the budget BUT not on the breakfast part.  You have some students on reduce or free Breakfast that is provided by government funding also breakfast and lunch services make the school money so why would you take away something that is MAKING the school money. For some of these students breakfast and lunch are the ONLY healthy meals they get all day.  I know it hard to believe that there are people less fortunate then you are out there but they are. Also some of these students their parents have been laid off because of the economy and they need breakfast and lunch provided at no cost. Again the government is providing funding for these students. 
I do agree with the pay cut across the board and it should also be every county employee don’t just pick on our school employees.  You are right about no one being above any one else and that every job is important. And if we cut jobs than we end up with more students needing reduce or free breakfast and lunch because some of these teachers and staff are single parents.  I also agree that some of the extras need to go or parents need to provide transportation or uniforms. No it’s not ideal but when it comes down to staff losing their jobs and extra after school activities we need to think about the school staff.  My kids play sports after school I have to provide uniforms and transportation in order for them to play.

Thanks Dr. Meara and the School Board for working really hard on saving school employees’ jobs.

I know some of the assistants and as a mom of 2 children that attend Powhatan Schools, the assistants are needed to get the children off the bus(the teachers need to be in the classroom to welcome the students in). I for one would not like to walk into a room and no one be there. The assistants help in the cafeteria, so the teachers can have their lunch also.  Now the cutting part.Why does the school have to provide breakfast for the children, since when is school responsible for feeding YOUR children in the morning as a parent you should make sure your child has a healthy breakfast. We all can find the time to feed our children. I am a full time working mom and I have fed my children everyone of everyday they went to school, and still do. Take the breakfast out of the school and that would save money. Why cannot everyone across the board take a pay cut higher ups included. That way across the board everyone is equal.  All jobs are important to each and every organization in the Nation, no one is above anyone else.
Also, do we have to buy new outfits for all the extra currilular sports out there?  After school sports could be eliminated and the parents should be responsible for taking the children to the games if they want them to participate, no bus needed. Schools are for education, physical activity is the parents responsibilty to make sure there children get exercise. They allow them to stay on computers, watch TV and play video games all day, when they are not in school, why cannot they use that time to make sure they exercies.

Enough said, parents need to be responsible for there children and the school needs to concentrate on academic parts.

Thanks Dr. Meara and all the staff at all Powhatan Schools.

Again - some assistants are needed but most aren’t.  I’ve been in classrooms, I’ve volunteered and I’m perfectly aware of what most assistants do.  I’m not talking about those working with specials needs either.  As stated, I feel some are necessary and most others are not. I know how much they make - it’s beens stated on the PCPS website.  Every penny saved for unnecessary things is a good thing. I’m sure there are techs that work hard, I’ve just not seen it.  I’m only aware of the ones that don’t and those that don’t need to go.  As far as the bus garage goes, unnecessary and glad to see that will be put on hold.  I think the higher ups also need to trim some off of their staff and cut their salaries.

YOU are absolutely right “noname”. We ALL need to be MORE active and BETTER informed! The turn out was great at the 2/17 meeting but lets make it HUGE at the Feb 23 meeting!!

If you were at the Board of Supervisor and School Board meeting tonight YOU heard from Dr. Meara and other Board members how important everyones job is. AND NO they are NOT going to build the BUS GARAGE until the economy straighten out.  Go to the meetings and you will be better informed!!!  Tuesday Feb. 23rd. at Flat Rock is the next meeting it starts at 5pm.