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Vol. 32, No. 40 | Richmond Suburban News | February 10, 2016
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Gill’s first budget proposal gets positive public response By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
DR. MICHAEL GILL
ASHLAND — Hanover County School Board members moved one step closer to completing a budget process that began in earnest late last year. After a weeklong delay due to snowstorm Jonas, the public had its first opportunity to comment on the proposed $175.6 million 2017 budget. The response to Hanover County Public Schools superintendent Michael Gill’s first proposed budget was positive.
“It’s a bold budget that funds many new initiatives and provides raises for our employees.” DR. MICHAEL GILL Superintendent, HCPS Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local The plan that provides a 2 percent across-the-board pay increase for school Hank Lowry, right, Ashland representative on the Hanover County School Board, said the county’s current allottment for technology is not sufficient to employees, funds 16 new classroom meet the needs of the students, and wants increases in the technology budget,
see BUDGET, pg. 4
as Beaverdam representative John Axselle, left, looks on.
Expected heavy voter turnout prompts system to close schools By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND — The effects of a hotly-contested national primary for presidential candidates is hitting close to home as Hanover County Public Schools officials decided to close schools on Tuesday, March 1, to accommodate anticipated heavy turnout. With the majority of Hanover County voting precincts located within schools, 19 out
of 25 to be exact, Dr. Michael Gill, superintendent, said the move was prompted by a request from the Hanover County Electoral Board and Voter Registrar Teri Smithson. While Gill recommended that the school board approve the calendar change, he noted
the difficulties involved in closing schools with late notice. Students have already missed four days, the number allowed and built into the current schedule. Additional missed time must be made up to ensure the county meets the state-mandated 180 days instructional day requirement. “Yesterday, I received a phone call from the Hanover Electoral Board with a request to not hold classes for students on March1 because of anticipated high turnout at the polls and
increased security concerns,” Gill said during the Tuesday, Feb. 2, regular school board meeting. In order to replace the March 1 instructional day with a holiday to accommodate primary voters will require students to attend school for full days on previously scheduled half days. “Logistically, if we decide to do this, we have to make sure we have 180 school days in
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see TURNOUT, pg. 5