Attending Friday’s Goochland High School graduation ceremony at the Arthur Ashe Center was a welcome respite when it comes to covering Goochland schools.

Seeing another senior class saying goodbye to high school and heading off into their future is always exciting and something I’m betting most everyone, no matter what their take on the recent contentiousness surrounding the schools budget, can agree was worthy of celebration.

It was nice to see smiles and cheers for a change at a school-related event, rather than frowns, scowls and expressions of puzzlement, those expressions most often seen at most recent school board meetings.

And watching the seniors getting their diplomas and celebrating with family and friends surely serves as a reminder of how important it is to use whatever resources are available in the most efficient ways possible.

This writer starts with the assumption that all the participants in the recent school budget debates have the same goal in mind: to produce the best school system possible during extremely difficult times. That there is great disagreement as to the best way to go about this is only natural, considering the decline in revenue available to the schools.

Unfortunately, that decline could continue, in light of last week’s report that housing prices had reached a low not seen since 2009. Barring an unlikely turnaround in the real estate market, county revenue will be as tight or tighter next budget season and the school system, as well as all other county functions, will have to go through yet another contraction.

Making do with less is something no one enjoys but it appears that it is something we may all have to learn to live with for the immediate future.

Civility at public meetings a necessity

Covering the most recent school board meeting was, shall we say, an interesting experience. As it was a continuation of the recessed workshop meeting, it appears the board went the extra mile in adding an abbreviated public comment period, yet despite that plus the announcement that a number of cuts had been restored, the crowd was not placated.

Toward the end of the meeting when it was clear that the board was prepared to vote and approve the budget the crowd got downright testy, shouting questions at the board.

It’s fine to take issue with the actions of an elected board but out of order shouting and interruption of proceedings serves no useful purpose whatsoever.

Channeling that energy in a different direction is what’s called for – that direction being the electoral process. And it looks like Goochlanders will have ample opportunity to do that this fall with the declaration of yet another new school board candidate (see story on page one).

Putting that energy to good use by supporting the candidates one thinks best for county schools is the way to go.