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Vol. 31, No. 27 | Richmond Suburban News | November 5, 2014
School system starts budget talks By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Hanover Professional Educators president Angela Downer told the school board her organization supports salary increases and lowered class sizes for the county.
With the thinking that it’s never too early to begin budget planning, the Hanover County School Board held a pre-budget public hearing during the October regular meeting. Members heard comments from representatives of various
teacher organizations — and the themes were familiar. Salary increases that are not keeping pace with cost of living, increased workloads and lack of technology were just some of the concerns addressed. “Many of our educators reported that their pay checks have decreased over the last several years, even
if they do not participate in the county’s insurance plans,” Afreen Gootee, president of the Hanover Education Association, said. “Can you imagine working for the same company for, say, 25 years day after day, year after year only to take home less in the past three years?” she asked.
She also urged board members to consider increasing their technology budget to include computers for every teacher. “We are hoping that the county will fund a laptop for every teacher so that we may use them to keep up with today’s high standards,” Gootee said.
A
s usual, Santa Claus will be arriving in the Village of Mechanicsville on the first Sunday in December. This year, however, he and the participants in the 20th annual Mechanicsville Parade will start making through way along the route an hour earlier.
According to organizers with the Mechanicsville Rotary Club and Mechanicsville Ruritan Club, the 2014 parade will kick off at 2 p.m. rather than the previous 3 p.m. This year’s theme will be “Memories of Christmas.” Catfish and Lori, morning show hosts from K95 Radio, will be the grand marshals. see PARADE, pg. 4
see BUDGET, pg. 17
Ceremony pays tribute to vets
Santa ready to visit Village with parade starting earlier By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
She also cited a need for more buses and increased employed contributions to health benefits. Kathy Abbott, representing Friends of Hanover Schools, said it’s time to address teacher workloads. “Many middle school classes are close to 30
File photo by Tom Haynie/The Local
Santa’s elves joined the festivities in the 2012 Mechanicsville Christmas Parade. The annual event, one of the Village’s most popular, will start an hour earlier than years past. The parade will kick off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7.
A Hanover County tradition will continue on Veterans Day when the community gathers to honor veterans of the military. A ceremony recognizing their service to their country will get underway at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Hanover Wayside Park on U.S. 301, which is located about a mile north of Hanover High School. Recently-retired Brig. Gen. Janice Igou, former assistant adjutant general-Army of the Virginia National Guard, will see VETS, pg. 4
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