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Vol. 37, No. 25 | Richmond Suburban News | September 29, 2021
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Supervisors receive back-to-school update
VOTE! ELECTION 2021
MEET YOUR
Slow mail service draws supervisors’ ire By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local
55th District candidates address the issues Levy, Fowler bidding for local House seat By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local
Editor’s note: Challenger Levy’s responses will run in Part I of this story, and Del. Fowler’s responses will be published in the following week’s edition.
Virginia’s 55th House of Delegates District encompasses parts of Caroline, Hanover and Spotsylvania counties. All 100 Virginia House seats are up for election this November. The Local sent questions to both candidates seeking the seat, incumbent Hyland “Buddy” Fowler and Ashland resident and educator Rachel Levy. Both received identical questionnaires and provided diligent and responsive answers to the questions.
A few words about why you decided to seek or continue public service. What motivates you to serve and why are you seeking election, re-election to the General Assembly? Levy: First, the combination of my engagement in local and state government matters, volunteering with campaigns, and my life’s work in improving public education made me realize that public service is my passion and my
LEVY
calling. Even when I finished my PhD, my first choice of a job wasn’t to be an academic but to continue to be a public servant. I ended up back in the classroom, as a teacher, see LEVY, pg. 8
Superintendent of Hanover schools Michael Gill provided supervisors with a comprehensive report on the opening days of school and a vision of how the district plans to move forward to address learning gaps caused by the pandemic at last week’s regularly scheduled board meeting. Gill told supervisors that around 17,000 students returned to Hanover schools during the first week, an increase from the anticipated number forecasted last year. In an opening the superintendent described as smooth, there were the usual challenges that included late buses and long drop off lines for parents at several campuses. Many parents opted to provide transportation
File photo by Joel Klein for The Local
Cold Harbor Assistant Principal Mary Douglas Roscoe welcomes students back on their first day of school earlier this month. Superintendent Michael Gill told supervisors last week the opening went well.
to and from school for their students once issues were reported regarding bus driver shortages. Gill said Hanover began the year with 26 fewer drivers than the year before, a deficit much smaller than neighboring localities. During the past week, more than 1,000 additional requests for bus service have been received, most likely due to the long drop off lines and
wait times for parents taking their children to school. Gill said there is a decided difference in this year’s start of school versus last year. While 62% of Hanover students returned to face-to-face instruction last year, that number is closer to 97% this year. “The halls are much busier and livelier, and, as I make my see SUPERVISORS, pg. 17
Celebrate our talented local crafters during American Craft Week October 1st – 10th! Delight a special person with a truly unique handmade gift (pssst that special person can be you) Check out our huge collection of books including Virginia authors!
8106 Mechanicsville Turnpike across from the windmill in the old Degoff’s building | BooksBeadsandMore.com | 804.730.2665
