INSIDE GES celebrates Thanksgiving feast > page 2
Volume 55, Number 47 • December 3, 2009
Schools cut ten jobs next year Other cuts could include center-based gifted program, staggered start times By Amy Condra acondra@goochlandgazette.com
At last week’s school board meeting School Superintendent Linda Underwood presented several cost-cutting measures for both this year’s and next year’s budgets. These cuts are in response to the county’s projected revenue shortfall of $2.5 million this year and $5.4 million next year. County Administrator Rebecca Dickson has said that in 2011 local funding for schools will be cut by 15 percent, or $2.9 million, and the county is also asking schools to cut $650,000 from this year’s $27.1 million budget. Underwood has proposed the following cuts in order to compensate for shortfalls in this year’s budget: $128,000 from instruction, $9,000 from administration and $3,000 from maintenance. Cuts for 2010-11 are more drastic, and include eliminating 10 positions from the instructional budget, including four from the elementary schools and two each from the middle school, high school and the special education program. “We’re looking at services and programs, and when we reduce services and change programs, there is staff tied to that,” said Underwood. The central office will also cut a reading specialsee Schools> page 4
INDEX
Health News Calendar Classifieds County News
3 10-12 13-15 4 2
Letters Education Opinion Sports TV Listings
6 7 6 8-9 10-12
Photos by Ken Odor
Gene Miller holds fragments of old mailboxes that have been knocked down by passing cars at his house on Rockville Road. Miller has to stand in the road to check his mail.
Residents warn of dangerous road Last month’s deadly crash heightens concern By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com
Following the Nov. 15 collision on Rockville Road that killed Jason Bumgarner, a group of area residents met last Friday to voice their concerns about the narrow, winding road. They say this two lane stretch has seen more than its share of fatal auto crashes.
SPORTS Goochland boys basketball preview. > page 8
Bumgarner, 22, was killed when a vehicle driven by Michael Roberts allegedly crossed the center line and struck his car. Roberts, 36, has been charged with driving under the influence. Commonwealth’s Attorney Claiborne Stokes said Monday that the accident is still under investigation and additional charges may be filed. At an impromptu meeting at the home of Gene Miller, who lives next door to the Bumgarner family, the residents voiced their fears that if the road is not improved more
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fatal crashes may occur. The 11 locals who gathered at the Miller house said their recollection is that there have been seven fatal crashes on Rockville Road in the last 10 years. Goochland Sheriff Jim Agnew said his office’s records showed 28 total accidents and three fatalities since 2003. “That’s a lot of accidents for a small stretch of road,” said Agnew. see Road> page 3
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west SERVING EASTERN GOOCHLAND AND WESTERN HENRICO
ACT NOW volunteers help police in Henrico