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Pulling together in hard times

The economic downturn has affected almost everyone. 

In early 2008 by direction of our board, our nonprofit organization laid off twenty-one people from our administrative support staff, a fifty percent reduction.  We laid off nine of our 100 front line staff.  At the beginning of 2009 we instituted an across the board 10 percent pay cut.  Instead of buying new equipment, we repair old equipment.  Instead of taking trips, we do Web meetings.  There have been many more significant reductions and cost savings that I will not take the time to list here.  The bottom line is that we reduced our annual spending by $2.4 million, which was a 26 percent reduction.  The attitude of our employees has been one of uncomplaining teamwork, camaraderie, flexibility, and pulling together in tough times to get the job done.  Those who are still employed are thankful to have a job and are willing to do everything within their power to cut costs and make it work, without complaint.  We still deliver our core services to an even greater number of recipients than we did two years ago.  This same scenario has been played out in countless companies and organizations across America, and will continue for some time.

Just as in the Great Depression, companies and communities again have to learn how to pull together and work through hard times, and many are doing just that with a cooperative, sacrificial spirit.  The stark exception to this spirit of shared sacrifice is our government entities both national and local, and for the purpose of this letter, our local school system.  I have watched the budget process, listened to the arguments of the school board and school administrators, listened to the complaints of the parents, and been utterly dismayed by their unwillingness to face economic realities and become team players along with the rest of the country.

The county administrator indicated that the school system’s part in our shared sacrifice needed to be a $2.9 million reduction in expenses, an 11 percent reduction.  This reduction is quite reasonable considering the number of taxpayers who are out of work, underemployed, or who like me have taken 10 percent or greater pay reductions.  Instead of a response from the school system of, “We want to help and will do all we can to make it work,” I have seen a recalcitrant litany of dire warnings, hand-wringing complaints, and refusals to comply from school officials, and outrage by parents.  If anyone in my organization had responded in this manner, they would have been rightfully deemed selfish and insensitive to the wellbeing of our organization as a whole and would have been treated accordingly.  Unfortunately the government entitlement mindset of schools is that they are entitled to more, even if it means increasing taxes on people who are already struggling to stay afloat.  After all, if they did comply with the requested reductions and in the spirit of community actually continued to get the job done without complaint, then they might be expected to live within their means again next year like the rest of the world. 

The mantra-like message that goes out each year at budget time is, “We need more money for schools, and if we don’t get it everything will fall apart and our children will suffer immensely.”  This tired message has grown thin for those who must foot the bill to finance the insatiable appetites of the public education system and government in general.  I would also say to those parents who demand more and more for their public school children at the expense of other people, if you want more take it out of your own pockets not out of everyone else’s.  I home school my six children and if I want more it comes out of my pocket.  And guess what, my children receive a good education that is well within my very limited (and reduced) means.  I must admit though that if I believed that I was entitled to other people’s money and that I could use the government to force them to give it to me, I too might think of all sorts of things my children must have at the expense of others.

Although this letter may offend public school officials and parents of public school children, my purpose is to implore you to face the reality of our county’s financial situation, and to ask you to join with all of us in working toward a reasonable solution.  The expense of public schools (for both operation and debt retirement) makes up over 50 percent of our county’s expenditures.  The cost of school-related capital projects takes this figure even higher.  So when you are asked by the county administrator and the board of supervisors to act in good faith to assist your county and fellow citizens to live within our means, I would hope to see an attitude of cooperation and teamwork.  The actions of the school board, school administrators, and some vocal parents to date have been antithetical to the spirit needed to help us all weather this financial storm. 

Dr. Douglas Pruiett
Sandy Hook

Serving silently?

Amy Condra’s January 21 editorial “Serving the public” was right on the mark and one of her best.

However, it’s not surprising to me that Goochland teachers, school administrators and other county employees are reluctant to voice opinions or write letters to the Gazette concerning the budget debate.

After 33 years of federal service I know very well how “the system” works.  It’s appropriate for Goochland employees to answer certain questions when asked but clearly not to inject themselves into a budget debate.  Goochland employees have my greatest respect for their silent service.

When Goochland employees are retired as I am they may let the fur fly but not until then for numerous good reasons.

What I really fail to understand is why no Goochland elected officials have ever responded to my numerous letters in the Gazette.  All my letters must have been absolutely correct or Goochland politicians are too fearful or disinterested to respond.

My belief is that most Goochland politicians have historically wanted to hold office mainly to further their own self interests and egos rather than the common good.  Telling the truth and making hard decisions in public are the least important part of their personal agendas. 

But I see a welcomed flicker of change possibly occurring with future elections.

Art Bachman
Gum Spring

What is happening to our Goochland schools?

Not so long ago you could walk into any of our schools and be greeted with a warm smile and feel the atmosphere of family and good friends. A place in which the teachers, staff, parents and students worked together as one caring unit. It was a unified effort to build our school network’s fine reputation. So well recognized was this effort, families picked up and moved to Goochland to have their children learn and grow with home style values.

The Goochland School System has some real issues confronting her. But when challenges were met in the past, they where met as a whole in an atmosphere of acceptance, approval, and respect for one another. An atmosphere, in which teachers, staff and students alike felt secure, welcomed and appreciated. It was the respect for one another and this atmosphere that allowed everyone to grow and achieve to levels well above mediocrity and to rise to national recognition. It was also the way to achieve real solutions.
So what is different today? The challenges are still there, the teachers, staff and students are still there and our financial concerns are still there and on and on… “To lead a community with fair, equitable and consistent standards, administered with compassion, understanding and temperance are traits of a great leader.” To lead with fear and intimidation are the tools of a tyrant.

In a recent article in the Goochland Gazette, it touched on this point of “tyranny” regarding the current administration of the Goochland schools. The attitude of indifference shown by this administration towards teachers, staff, parents and students is appalling. One need not go beyond the front door of any school to see teachers with their heads down in fear of looking up to offend an administrator. To hear the deafening silence of teachers and staff saying nothing that might offend the administration for fear of retribution. Or, to see the faces of or students looking, needing and wanting clear guidance.

I commend those who established the Goochland Education Parents Association (GEPA) for offering a platform to the silent majority in voicing their concerns publically and hopefully without retribution. It is a shame that you had to form your organization, as it reflects further the attitude of indifference this administration’s leadership has towards a loyal community. One of the most fundamental human relation principles we are trying to teach our children and young adults is to, “listen”. This must be taught by example, administrators, and not through rhetoric. If you are not truly listening to your constituency and personnel, then you are not hearing them.

To the Board of Supervisors: From a purely business and humanitarian stand point, a recommendation that you quickly revisit the proposed budgetary cuts regarding personnel.

Look very carefully at reductions of redundant, highly paid and nonessential administrative personnel from the top down. Why would you even consider eliminating the front line personnel who impact our students, parents, this community so directly, positively and with such loyalty?

Finally supervisors, if you do not focus on removing this atmosphere of fear and intimidation within our school system, you will drive our fine schools into mediocrity with the loss of caring personnel and families.

David E. Hollis
Gum Spring

To the Goochland community

Hadensville Company #6 Fire & Rescue Auxiliary wants to thank each and everyone for their very generous contribution to our annual portrait fundraiser in 2009.  Because of your generosity, we are presenting to Company #6 Fire & Rescue a check for $8,000 that will go towards paying what is owed on Squad 67.  Any further donations will be given to them.
We appreciate all that you contribute to us.

Hadensville Company #6
Fire & Rescue Auxillary