INSIDE Cub Scout Pack 701 still serving community > page 3
Volume 57, Number 39 • October 6, 2011
Haskell runs for reelection in District 1 Jim Ridolphi Special Correspondent
Photo by Ken Odor
Joy Massie helps painter David Senegar with his selections at the Food Pantry last Thursday.
GFCFS gets Altria Food Pantry grant Ken Odor jodor@gooclandgazette.com
The Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services agency has received a $43,000 grant from the Altria Companies Employee Community Fund. “We are very grateful,” said GFCFS Executive Director Sally Graham, who said that donations to the Food Pantry are down while demand for help has increased. “It’s a huge boost for our Food Pantry.” The money will be used to help fund the agency’s Food Pantry, which provides food to low income families. Last Thursday morning 103 families were served at the pantry, said Food Pantry Manager Heather Street. Families signed in at the see Pantry > page 4
INDEX
Calendar Classifieds Letters Obituaries
17 18-19 6 10
Opinion 6 Sheriff Reports 9 Sports 14 TV Listings 15-17
Jim Haskell is a strong believer in public education. He has reaffirmed that belief by serving five terms on Goochland’s School Board, and is seeking another in this year’s election. “We have some challenging times that lay ahead for Goochland schools, especially the tough task of doing more with less money,” Haskell said. “I feel my experience will serve the future board well as it navigates through financial challenges that are sure to arise with upcoming budgets,” he added. After five terms as board chairman and 22 years of service, Haskell said despite dealing with more than $3 million in education budget cuts, the system is still providing Goochland students with a first class learning environment with cutting edge opportunities. The veteran school board member also has a realistic view of a changing environment surrounding the school system and the tough choices that await the new board. “Until The Board of Supervisors finds a way to
replenish the lost funding we’ve suffered in recent years, more cuts will be required and that means some tough choices for the next school board,” Haskell said. “Our teachers have already had their pay reduced, class sizes are increasing and many of the programs have been reduced or eliminated,” he added. He said the recent flurry of discussion regarding Goochland schools is a sign that the community is involved. That concern, sometimes expressed in criticism, is a valid and important part of the process according to Haskell. “We’ve seen more parental input and involvement in recent years,” Haskell said. “I don’t view that as a negative, and most administrators welcome the participation. Studies indicate the more parents are involved in the system at a school level, the better education the students receive,” he added. Haskell has overseen the rise of Goochland schools from a sleepy rural system to a world-class district that has received statewide recognition for it excellence. “Even with the recent cuts in funding, we have a fantastic school system here that, with community involvement, will
Photo by Jim Ridolphi
Jim Haskell says despite $3 million in cuts, Goochland Schools are still providing students with a good education.
continue to grow and prosper,” Haskell said. He points to increased graduation rates, lower dropout numbers and higher test scores as clear indicators that the system is headed in the right direction. “We’ve created an edu-
SPORTS
NEWS
Cadets win in four overtimes
Goochland golf course reopens
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cational environment in Goochland that not only provides increased rigor with the opportunity to achieve college credits, but also offers students various options in career paths including vocational mentorsee Haskell > page 4