Goochland School Board members voted last week to spend some money on an old problem – whenever they can get their hands on the cash to tackle it.

But they declined to authorize payment for a study of electricity and energy savings, deferring action until their next meeting.

First up was the ongoing odor problem at Goochland Elementary School.

Goochland Superintendent of Schools Linda Underwood recommended the board approve paying up to $3,500 to Mosely Architects, pending the availability of funding.

Mosely would meet with county maintenance to review existing documents and do a visual inspection. Mosely also proposed using Stemmie Plumbing Repair to conduct a smoke test.

A narrative report of the results of the smoke test and any other discoveries would then be provided to the board.

“At this point we don’t have funding to start this process,” said Underwood.

With board members Ivan Mattox and Andrew Meng absent, the board voted 3-0 to approve the Mosely bid when funds become available, possibly in early August, according to Underwood.

The board deferred a vote on spending up to $7,000 on a study by Esperitus on possible electricity savings and management of energy, on the urging of District 1 board member James Haskell, who cited the absence of two board members. The issue was tabled until the June 22 workshop meeting.

School employees will continue having their five percent employee contribution to the Virginia Retirement System picked up by the schools after the three board members present approved a resolution to that effect.

Childhood obesity
The board heard the yearly presentation by Heather Earley of the School Health Advisory Board. Earley also presented statistics on childhood obesity among Goochland students.

According to Earley, although Virginia ranks 28 in overweight adults, the state ranks 23 in childhood obesity.

“We are definitely up there in the obesity rate,” said Earley.

Focusing on Goochland Elementary School, Earley furnished the following information:
Kindergarten –30 percent of students are overweight or obese.
Third grade - Almost 39 percent of student are overweight or obese.
Fifth grade - 36 percent of students are overweight or obese.

“These numbers are shocking,” said Chairman Maxwell Cisne.

Quick Hits:
Superintendent Underwood presented an overview of the county’s application for Title 1 federal funding in the amount of $268,630. The board will vote on the application at the June 22 meeting.

The board will take up any revisions in the Vision statement and a revised organizational chart at its June 22 meeting.

In new business,  Underwood said progress is being made on designing a new school-based gifted program and that Connie Foreman will make a presentation on the proposed curriculum at the June 22 meeting.

In light of the recent incident where a GHS student was found to have brought a firearm to school, Underwood said “We cannot comment on specific cases or individual students,” but told the board that crisis planning is reviewed and updated after such incidents.