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Powhatan, Virginia
The hometown paper of Gary Arnold
Vol. XXVII No. 38
September 24, 2014
Supervisors settle with Dr. Meara By Laura McFarland News Editor
M
embers of the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors said they have brought the issue of the controversial Supplemental Retirement Program to an end with a settlement with former Powhatan County Public Schools superintendent Margaret Meara. On Monday, Sept. 15, the board voted 3-2 in favor of a decision to pay Meara a onetime salary payment of $80,000. MEARA When combined with the $52,403 she was already paid for the 2013-2014 school year, when she served as associate superintendent, Meara’s final salary came out to $132,403. This was about half the amount she was originally scheduled to be paid out over five years when she enrolled in the SRP last year. The decision was seen as a fair salary by some board members and a possible
gross over-adjustment by others, according to comments during the vote. Chairman Carson Tucker, who represents District 5; Jason Moore, District 2; and Bill Melton, District 4; voted for the resolution. Vice chairman David Williams, District 1, and Barry Hodge, District 3, voted against it. The supervisors had already taken control of the SRP at their Monday, July 7, meeting, eight days after voting on June 16 to both end the program and prohibit Meara from participating. They also have said they plan to have the SRP trust fund fully funded as of the 2015-2016 school year to prevent any future boards from having to deal with the issue. Craig Dunkum, Meara’s attorney, said his client was pleased that the matter could be resolved without the need for litigation and declined further comment.
Support of the resolution Moore said he voted for the settlement because it ends any outstanding issues with the SRP, including all claims against the county or the Powhatan County School Board. The county saved about $130,000 see MEARA page 3A
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
As part of the new Lunch Buddies mentoring program, students from Powhatan, Pocahontas, and Flat Rock Elementary schools and Pocahontas Middle School will be paired with an adult who visits them at lunch every week.
Lunch Buddies needed By Laura McFarland News Editor
E
ating lunch with a child seems like such a simple thing. But the organizers of the new Lunch Buddies mentoring program being instituted in four Powhatan County Public Schools this fall know that 30 minutes can make a big difference in a child’s outlook. The program will pair up adults in the community with a child in one of the three elementary schools or Pocahontas Middle School to eat lunch with him or
her once a week for the duration of the school year, Randy Watts, director of pupil personnel services, said. “I think with a mentor they can be a role model. They can encourage the student,” he said. “It is somebody they can talk to. Hopefully they will give them another reason to look forward to school.” Watts and Taylor Innes, mentoring program coordinator, are hoping for a minimum of six pairs — each pair is made up of a student and mentor — at each school, making for 24 adults needed for a strong start. see LUNCH page 8A
Moore plans run for Beasley named General Commonwealth’s Attorney
District Court judge By Laura McFarland News Editor
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Sandy Lynch, assistant superintendent for instruction for Powhatan County Public Schools, demonstrates part of the Curriculum eBooks program.
New curriculum = better access By Laura McFarland News Editor
P
owhatan County Public Schools is embracing a new online resource that will let its teachers share their knowledge while also giving them clear guidelines of how their year should be progressing. Curriculum eBooks are
a new platform the school district is using to provide well-defined, updated resources for teachers in a centralized location, Sandy Lynch, assistant superintendent for instruction, said. These ebooks are not to be confused with a single tome downloaded onto an eReader, she said. Curricu-
Powhatan County is losing a Commonwealth’s Attorney, but it is gaining a judge in his place. On Thursday, Sept. 18, the General Assembly, in a decision approved by both the House of Delegates and the State Senate, named Robert “Bob” Beasley Jr. as the newest General District Court Judge in the 11th Judicial District. Beasley, who has been the county’s Commonwealth’s Attorney since 2000, is the 11th district’s third General District Judge, filling a position that BEASLEY was created by the General Assembly earlier this year, he said. His six-year term begins Dec. 1, meaning he will leave the Commonwealth’s Attorney position one month shy of his 15th anniversary in the role. see BEASLEY page 8A
see ACCESS page 4A
Staff Report Beasley, who had Less than 24 hours been in the position after Powhatan County since January 2000, Commonwealth’s At- was approved by the torney Bob Beasley General Assembly on was approved for a Thursday, Sept. 18, to judgeship that will become the newest leave his seat vacant, General District Court another elected official judge in the 11th Judihas already thrown his cial District. His sixhat in the ring for the year term begins Dec. position. 1. Jason Moore, who Moore offered conrepresents District 2 on gratulations to Beasley the Powhatan on ascending County Board to the bench of Superviand wished sors, anhim well in nounced on the new enFriday, Sept. deavor. 19, that he “As an inwould seek tern for him the Commonwhen I was a MOORE wealth’s Attorthird year law ney seat in an upcoming special elecsee MOORE page 9A tion.
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804-598-1300 Inside A5 County officials have a blast with Luck Stone
Powhatan’s Locally Owned and Family Operated Propane Company Sports B1 County honors fallen officer with 7th annual Robbie Green softball tournament
Index Calendar A2 Classified B10-11 Crossword A9 Horoscope A9 Obituaries A2 Opinion A10 TV Listings B8-9