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Jonathan Hunley
The chairman said he would have more concluding comments at the supervisors’ last meeting of this year and expressed gratitude to campaign workers who had assisted him since he said last year that he would seek another term. “I have not come to this decision lightly,” said York, who is beginning his 24th year of service to Loudoun, counting time spent as Sterling District supervisor and work as a planning commissioner. In an interview immediately after that Jan. 7 supervisors meeting, York said that he could see any one of three sitting supervisors making a good successor. He declined to identify those colleagues, but he said they share three qualities: they understand the Continued on Page 38
dnadler@leesburgtoday.com
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oudoun’s new schools superintendent has pulled the curtains back on his spending recommendations for next fiscal year, calling for a $68 million hike over the current operating budget and making room for pay raises and an expansion of full-day kindergarten to as many as 1,875 students. Superintendent Eric Williams presented his inaugural Loudoun budget to the School Board on Jan. 8, staying true to promises he made during the six months since he was hired. Leading up to last week’s presentation, he said he would find some efficiencies within the school district, identify some enhancements to be made and craft a budget larger than the current fiscal year’s to keep up with enrollment growth. “This isn’t a surprise,” he told School Board members and about 50 others gathered in the boardroom, including County Chairman Scott K. York (R-At Large). “The size of the pie—the size of the budget I’m recommending—is bigger for next year than it is for this year. And the reason for that is all about excellence, sustaining the excellence of our schools and building on that excellence.” The $980.1 million spending plan creates 343.8 full-time equivalent positions—273 of which are based in schools, not at the
Opi ni on
Below Freezing? Perfect.
Danielle Nadler
C l as si fi e d
oudoun County Chairman Scott K. York announced last week that he won’t seek re-election, a surprise move that has many wondering if Board of Supervisors’ Vice Chairman Shawn M. Williams will seek the top job. York (At Large) was to face a challenge for the Republican nomination for the job from Leesburg lawyer Charles King, and Democrat Phyllis Randall also announced last week that she would run for chairman. So the political picture seemed like it would feature a longtime incumbent and two challengers who haven’t held elected office. Then York,
who has led the supervisors for the past 15 years, shocked even some county government staff members with his news. That was followed by speculation that either Supervisor Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn), who chairs the board’s finance committee, or Williams (R-Broad Run) would enter the race for the GOP nomination for chairman. But Buona said Tuesday that he’s going to instead seek re-election to his current seat, and Williams said he’s still pondering his next move. “We’re talking about it, and we’re talking to people,” Williams said of him and his wife, Joy. York made his announcement at the end of a short speech Jan. 7 that touted the work of supervisors and thanked county staff members for their diligence.
L if e s t yle s
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jhunley@leesburgtoday.com
Williams’ Budget Calls For Raises, Expanded Full-Day Kindergarten Sports
York Announcement Shakes Up Board Races
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Last week’s arctic blast provided just the right conditions for Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Squad 613 to practice ice rescue scenarios at the Olde Izaak Walton Park on Friday morning. See story Page 5.
Continued on Page 13
Speak Up
Public hearings on Loudoun school district’s proposed FY16 budget will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, and Thursday, Jan. 22. Sign up to speak by calling 571-252-1020 or emailing Christine.Coleman@lcps.org.
Leesburg Today/Mike Stancik
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