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Volume 57, Number 26 • July 1, 2010
Principals at GES, RES switch roles Parents question why the transfer is necessary By Amy Condra acondra@goochlandgazette.com
Photo by Ken Odor
Dreaming Creek, above, is actually a gondola rather than a batteau and is the first boat to arrive Saturday, coming in a little after 4 p.m. Two children, below left, run along the river’s edge to get a better view of the boats.
The 25th Batteau Festival Crews battle low water and high temperatures By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com
Those long, flat-bottomed boats began pulling into Maidens Landing last Saturday afternoon
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Calendar Classifieds Features News Letters
12 13-15 2, 8 3 6-7
Education Opinion Sports TV Listings
4 6 9 10-12
shortly after 4 p.m., marking the end of the twenty-fifth annual James River Batteau Festival. “It was a little harder this year,” said Sandy Shortridge, whose husband Bob captained the first boat to arrive: Dreaming Creek, which is actually a gondola and not a bateau.
SPORTS Things heat up at Deep Run Horse Show. > page 9
see Batteau > page 8
The principals of Goochland Elementary School and Randolph Elementary School will be switching positions for the upcoming school year. This decision, and how it was made, has angered parents who feel that Superintendent Linda S. Underwood and the school board did not clearly explain how the reassignment will benefit the 700 students involved. In an interview on Monday Underwood said that Dianna Gordon, principal of GES, and Stacey Austin, principal of RES, have each been at their respective schools for about six years. “We know that both principals are highly thought of by their communities, and we knew there would be some negative reaction,” said Underwood,
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adding that she has been considering the move for a long time. “But even knowing the negative reaction, we want to do the right thing.” She believes that Gordon and Austin each possess different skills and strengths that, when brought to a new setting, will increase the productivity of both teachers and students. “Both principals have worked with their staff to get students to their highest achievement levels,” she said. “But a different set of eyes, a different approach can help (students) take the next few steps. We’re looking at increased achievement, always.” Elizabeth Nelson-Lyda is a member of the GCPS Community Adv isor y Committee. She represents many parents whose children attend GES, and she said that most of the parents she has heard from in her district are elated to be welcoming Austin as their new principal. “My neighbors are see Principals> page 4
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