DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
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PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 30, No. 42 | Richmond Suburban News | February 19, 2014
School Board adopts $170.7 million budget By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local Hanover County School Board members unanimously approved a $170.7 million budget for Fiscal Year 2015 last
week. That doesn’t mean there weren’t concerns with the proposal, but members approached those with a healthy dose of realism. Superintendent Jamelle Wilson said the budget is appro-
priate and depends on finite financing figures. A budget that depends on one-time education funding is risky business, and the current proposal relies on steady streams of revenue that could ensure sustainability for
Stuffed animals for orphans
the system’s future. The proposal adds 18 classroom positions, increases resources for students and teachers, and takes aim at lower class sizes. The proposed budget also supplies employees
with a 2 percent salary increase, as well as benefit allowances to cover Virginia Retirement System increases and a portion of healthcare rate increases. Wilson presented a summary of the budget and noted
highlights in the process at the Feb. 11 meeting. Following her recommendation for approval of the 2015 operating, capital and food sersee BUDGET, pg. 19
Boy focuses on helping homeless By Jodi Deal jdeal@mechlocal.com
Photo submitted by Tracy Barney
Haley Barney of Mechanicsville is shown with some of the orphans she has met on mission trips with The LINK. She had her own mission for the children: She collected more than 100 stuffed animals to give to the children. More on Haley’s efforts on page 7.
As a snowstorm and massive temperature drop headed toward the Metro Richmond area on Tuesday, Jan. 22, Pole Green Elementary School fifth grader Camden Giroux approached a homeless man who had just dug through a trash can and pulled out a halfeaten apple. Camden held out a backpack full of snacks and supplies. At first, the man thought he was supposed to pick an item from the bag. As the boy put the whole bag in the man’s hands, the man realized the bag and everything inside was for him.
Photo courtesy of Tracy Glovier
Camden Giroux sits at his dining room table, surrounded by snacks, clothes and other supplies he has collected for homeless people. He set aside $50 of his Christmas money to buy pizzas to distribute to people in need.
“He looked at us like we mom, Tracy Glovier, handed were crazy,” Camden said. “He out 10 backpacks stuffed with said, ‘The whole thing?!’ ” see HOMELESS, pg. 5 That day, Camden and his