INSIDE:
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5 Lions check students’ vision
PEDIATRIC DENTIST OFFICE IN STAFFORD
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Family Tech talks companion safety apps
North Stafford grad heading for game in Texas
www.redapplepediatricdentalteam.com Contact our office at 540-318-5577 to schedule your appointment.
VOLUME 27, NUMBER 28
VIEWPOINTS, PAGE 4 | PUZZLES, PAGE 9 | CLASSIFIEDS, PAGES 10, 11
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SEPTEMBER 25 2015
INSIDENOVA.COM
Presentation details vision of future elementary schools
STAFFORD SONGFEST SUNDAY
TRACY BELL
Stafford County Sun
Leather and Lace, a Fleetwood Mac/ Stevie Nicks tribute band, plays at John Lee Pratt Park on Sunday as part of Stafford Songfest Sundays. For more events in Stafford County, take a look at our events calendar on page 7. ALEKS DOLZENKO/ STAFFORD COUNTY SUN
Schools need internal auditor, panel says TRACY BELL
A
Stafford County Sun
Stafford County School Board committee recommended that an internal auditor be hired for the schools system, following years of finance missteps. A report from the Finance, Audit and Budget Committee, presented to the school board Tuesday, details a recommendation to go ahead with the auditor. The board will hold a special called meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28 in School Board Chambers, Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex. Background in the report states: “Over the last decade there have been several instances documented internally, externally with discussion and disclosure with the board of supervisors, and reported in the local media, in which the confidence and integrity of the Stafford County Public Schools’ Department of Financial Services
and other SCPS departments has been brought into question. These incidents have occurred over the tenure of multiple superintendents and at least two assistant superintendents of finance.” The committee, which includes three school board members and an alternate, suggested that the internal auditor report directly to the school board. “...It is a position that would prove to be invaluable as the culture is changed and the organization is able to operate more efficiently and effectively,” the recommendation states. An Evergreen Solutions report, through a prior efficiency study, proposes a salary of $60,000 for the internal auditor; however market forces indicate a more appropriate salary of $133,000, including benefits and health insurance, the recommendation notes. The committe e re commende d proceeding cautiously with funding
and setting the position as a priority in upcoming budget cycles. The first year could be funded through the recent $8.3 million surplus, the committee suggested. “If we find this something to be of value, we shouldn’t wait too long,” said school board member Nanette Kidby, Garrisonville District. The internal auditor would have broad authority to investigate financial and other matters and would recommend actions but would not have the authority to implement changes. “I think it’s something we should definitely consider,” said school board member Patricia Healy, who wants to leave options open and consider cost, to make sure obtaining an auditor would not “take anything from the classrooms.” While some school board members seemed to defend mistakes surrounding the surplus — SCHOOLS PAGE 10 noting that there was no
The Stafford County School Board heard a presentation at its Tuesday meeting on a project on designing elementary schools to focus on the whole child, foster growth and connect with the community. Bill Bradley of Stantec Architects presented the new proposed elementaryschool educational specifications. From May to August, a committee of teachers, central-office staff, administrators, community members and parents met to develop recommendations for new educational specifications to guide the planning and design of forthcoming elementary schools in Stafford County. The plan is an overview of future visions in learning focused on elementary education planning, trends and design foresight and guidelines. Included were surveys and discussions about various aspects of elementary-school education strategies. The group took existing county educational specifications, reviewed new school projects and received broad input from content experts to develop the recommendations. Members also took a tour of an elementary school in a peer school district. The group focused on the gap between the status quo and what’s required to reach future learners, including focuses on types of spaces needed in the schools and best practices used in learning today. The new educational specifications call for some new ways of using space in the county’s elementary schools, including breakout and common areas. This is different from what currently exists in the county’s elementary schools, according to the report. Some proposed changes in the specifications may also be seen in new projects and buildings in the county’s high VISION schools, according to a school PAGE 10 board press release.