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Vol. 34, No. 38 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | January 24, 2018
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Technology plan, employee raises in budget proposal By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Dr. Michael Gill, superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools, gives the budget presentation.
ASHLAND -- Despite a number of funding challenges, Dr. Michael Gill, superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools, presented a FY 2019 budget that continues a pattern of improved technology and expanded opportunities in county schools. Although the current state budget contains no funds for teacher raises, Gill’s proposed budget provides a 2% increase for all school employees and also continues funding for an adopted five-year technology plan.
HCPS changes calendar to make up for snow days Staff Report news@mechlocal.com ASHLAND -- Hanover County Public Schools students will be going “full” days on Feb. 8, 19 and 22 to make up for the recent closings due to inclement weather. Chris R. Whitley, public
information officer, said the days were originally for: professional development, Feb. 8; a student and teacher holiday, now an “A” day, Feb. 19;and an early closing for parent-teacher conferences, Feb. 22. “In light of the recent see SNOW, pg. 18 }
Middle school teachers received laptops last October and elementary and high school teachers are scheduled to obtain their devices next year. U nder the plan, student laptops will begin distribution in 2022. Gill elaborated on the funding challenges as he presented the budget at a special meeting last week at the Central Office. An increase in the county’s Local Composite Index (LCI) cost the county a potential $2 million increase in funding, and the final state contribution was actually about $500,000. That equates to an increased share
for local funds derived from county taxpayers. “What that means for any locality, not only Hanover, is that if we are going to a give a salary adjustment, that is going to have to be absorbed locally,” Gill said. Gill also pointed to increased demands in special education, specific behavioral programs and English as a second language classes. Since 2013, ESL classes have doubled in size. The superintendent’s budget provides one additional ESL teacher, 2.6 new counselor positions, two behavioral interventionists and two Special
Education teachers. The proposed budget also allows for two IT Resource teachers and one IT support position. Gill highlighted the accomplishments of the system in a changing educational environment, moves that have included STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) and STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics) programs at every elementary school in the county. “We continue to focus on relevance, equity and innovation,” Gill see BUDGET, pg. 4 }
Davis: ‘important matters to deal with’
By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
HANOVER — So far, 2018 is looking like a fairly good year for Henry District supervisor Sean Davis. Less than two weeks ago, his fellow supervisors elected the see DAVIS pg. 21 }
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Sean Davis, center, was elected chairman of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 10. He is shown talking with supervisors Angela Kelly-Wiecek and Scott Wyatt.
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