02/12/201

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DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111

STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN

K.C.: Vote for video Photo submitted by Krista Loucas

K.C. Comet is urging the community to support Kersey Creek Elementary School in Scotties TREES ROCK! video contest. As of Friday, the Mechanicsville school was in second place. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 to use towards a sustainable project. Voting, which continues through Friday, is being done online at www. scottiestreesrock.com.

Family grows with Ugandan adoptions By Jodi Deal jdeal@mechlocal.com

Vol. 30, No. 41 | Richmond Suburban News | February 12, 2014

School budget nears f nal approval By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local

Citizens got their second opportunity to voice opinions regarding the proposed 2015 Hanover County Public Schools budget last week. Due to inclement weather in past weeks, the public comment period was extended and several speakers took advantage of the second chance. Mary Anne Pugh spoke in favor of paying teachers a more competitive salary, and said the proposed 2 percent raise is not

significant enough to “stem the tide.” “I implore you to press this issue with our [Hanover County] Board of Supervisors,” Pugh said. Rick Ryan did not agree and said when pensions and job security are considered, teachers do make a competitive salary. Ryan said a Heritage Foundation study stated, “Teachers are not underpaid, but higher paid in total compensation.” Following the public comment period, board members got down to work on details of the proposed budget. Superintendent Jamelle Wilson said this

sleepless nights worrying. They’ve filled out hundreds of pages ess than a of legal documents, year ago, Matt secured passports and and Desiree submitted to several Williams offihome evaluations. cially decided to adopt. They spent nearly Since May, they’ve Photo provided by Desiree Williams five months committed spent thousands of dol- to a set of three siblings Williams siblings Trinity, John Terry, Azriel, Titus, Isaac and Emma enjoyed lars on travel and legal playing together on their first day as a family on Wednesday, Feb. 5. John see UGANDAN, pg. 15 Terry and Isaac were just adopted from Uganda. fees. They’ve spent

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PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141

budget addresses the three major concerns expressed by the board, including increased employee compensation, lowered class sizes and additional teachers and resources in the classroom. “What we have presented in this budget represents what we know to be finite resources,” Wilson said. “We’ve identified what we believe those items that reflect the priorities of the School Board, as well as comments we’ve heard from the public over time.” see BUDGET, pg. 5

New BOS chair said he’s ‘living the dream’ By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local

People who know newly-elected Hanover County Board of Supervisors chairman Sean Davis best say he’s no stranger to hard work. “In the two years we have worked together, I have

found him to be open, honest and straightforward in all discussions whether or not we were in agreement,” outgoing board chairman Canova Peterson said. “He has a strong work ethic and will bring a level of energy to the chairmanship that will bode well

SEAN DAVIS

see BOS, pg. 4


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