Callander: Our schools need your vote

It sure looks like the schools aren’t responsible for a $5.6 million dollar accounting error that keeps being brought up. How about spotlighting the county treasurer’s office instead? It makes me wonder if this issue is dragged out in an attempt to somehow influence the outcome of November’s local elections.

Well, regardless of what’s going on subsurface, we need to support our public schools at the ballot box Nov. 3. For years the schools have been telling the board of supervisors that they are hurting financially. Initially, conflicts between the two boards concerned a few hundred thousand dollars, then $1.5 million, and now multiple millions.

It used to be the school board and the supervisors had a cooperative relationship, but unfortunately that’s soured.

The election of Laura Sellers as Garrisonville supervisor would be a boost. As a graduate of North Stafford High School, at least she appreciates our schools. In Aquia District either of the challengers — Independents Paul Ortiz or Irene Egan — would be more respectful toward the schools. Egan calls for “full funding,” while Ortiz offers ideas for how to make greater funding possible.

All three of the candidates running in Falmouth this year — Democrat Doug Filler, Republican turned Independent Mark Osborn, or Republican nominee Susan Stimpson — demonstrate a positive attitude toward the schools, thankfully.

Whoever wins will be faced with fiscal realities, though, and only Filler is committed to retaining the revenues available through BPOL, a business license and tax due to be enacted in 2010.

In Hartwood, incumbent Joe Brito would be the safest pro-schools vote. Though Brito isn’t exactly a big spender, he did support BPOL, which his Republican opponent, former Supervisor Gary Snellings, says he would repeal. Losing BPOL would make it all the more difficult to fund the school budget.

Democrat Sellers has been playing both sides of the BPOL issue, whereas her Democratic counterpart in Falmouth, retired businessman Filler, speaks confidently that businesses need to contribute fairly to the county’s revenues thereby providing tax relief to homeowners.

As I consider the school funding issue, I think back to my days on the Stafford High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association, where I first met a devoted school advocate and volunteer, Martha McGhee. Martha died recently and a flood of memories presented themselves of her days speaking at school funding hearings. I remember her describing the dangerous conditions on the stage at SHS’s auditorium where she organized a yearly talent show.

The stage was just one example of ways in which the schools needed help. Back then they were getting about 70 percent of the county budget but there were still important unmet needs. From what I hear about the deteriorating condition of SHS today, it makes me wonder about that stage.

Let’s support our public schools. They give our children a good foundation, prepare them for a life of productive work, and help our community immeasurably.

Alane Callander is a south Stafford resident active in many local causes. Reach her at info@staffordcountysun.com.