Leffel has the background for Fincastle School Board seat
Editor:
I’m writing to encourage folks in the Fincastle District to vote for Beth Leffel for School Board in the November 5 election.
If there’s an advantage to covering Botetourt County Public Schools across four different decades, I’d say it’s the perspective you get about how School Boards and school administrations work individually and cooperatively (or not cooperatively).
One also finds that School Boards are very much governed by school law. The General Assembly through state-collected taxes provides about half of Botetourt’s school budget. In so doing, the state-appointed Board of Education wields great power over local school divisions. An example is standardized testing. That’s not a Botetourt School Board requirement. It’s a state requirement. “If Botetourt wants state money, you do what we tell you.” The same applies to Federal dollars (though they are few in our county).
The State Board of Education establishes minimum criteria for class sizes, textbooks, class time, teacher certification, administration requirements, school days, test scores, graduation requirements, special education requirements and protocol, guidance counselors, bus driver certifications (but not the requirement that school divisions provide buses) and much more.
Generally, local school boards’ responsibilities in these areas are to pass policies that at least meet the minimum requirements. If you want to know why certain decisions are made by the administration, check the School Board’s policy manual that’s online at the BCPS website.
That’s not to say there aren’t strictly local policies. There are. An example is the new dress code that went into effect this school year. Also, local policies can establish better than the minimum state requires. Botetourt’s School Board has done that in a number of areas including classroom sizes.
If you want to understand the minutiae of adopting policies, check the board’s monthly meeting agenda for policy changes.
With all that, toss in the privacy protections that students have and that employees have and at times you wonder why we even have a school board.
There are good reasons. First, someone has to be sure the administration is doing its job in meeting the local, state and federal requirements and policies.
Second, school boards are obligated to approve annual budgets, even though they are put together by the school administration, with some guidance from the board. Then, school boards are required to submit those budgets to their boards of supervisors (or city councils). If they care about the budget, school board members should then lobby for approval of the local money needed to fund the state-mandated programs and for any additional funds needed to have more than the minimum.
Third, local policies, while often initiated by the school administration, deserve considerable input from individual school board members, and at times the public. The dress code policy change is an example. Another is the administration’s proposal last spring to drop the agriculture teaching position from James River High School. A number of community members adamantly opposed the idea and expressed that to their board members. The board members told the administration to leave the position in the school budget that went to the Board of Supervisors.
“Second” and “Third” are the reasons I think Beth Leffel will be an outstanding Botetourt County School Board member.
She already has an understanding of school budgets and the interaction with Board of Supervisors members to advocate for what she believes are essentials for the school division. She’s also quite capable of discussing budget items with the supervisors and the county administration during the budget-making process because she understands the financial constraints on local government.
I trust her to weigh the “necessities” to maintain a quality school division against the “wishes” that arise every year, and to look similarly at existing programs and projects. As a business person, that kind of acumen can be critical.
Her professional background in the sciences will also provide the School Board with a unique perspective in these days of pushing STEM-H educational programs. The board has not had anyone involved in the sciences since STEM-H became a focal point in public education. It will be refreshing to have that kind of perspective when evaluating those programs.
Added to that is her perspective as someone who has an appreciation for agriculture’s place in the county and the school division. The Fincastle Election District is the county’s largest geographically– its most rural. It’s important that the board includes someone with that perspective.
I’ve known Beth since she was in high school and have had the opportunity to see her grow professionally and with a family. I believe when she’s elected people in the Fincastle District will find her very approachable, that she will listen to constituents, listen to administration and just as importantly be sure administration listens to her.
She is hands down one of the most impressive people I know, and I believe Botetourt will be better off with her on the School Board.
Edwin McCoy
Buchanan
School Board candidate addresses homeschooling
Editor:
When I entered the race for the Blue Ridge seat on the Botetourt County School Board, I did so because, as a parent, I have experienced and seen that we, as a county and as a school system, are faced with many challenges. However, I am excited about what the future holds and the opportunity to be a part of it.
My wife and I have two daughters for whom we want the very best. A question about homeschooling has come up and I would like to publicly address it. We have homeschooled our oldest daughter for the past two years and our youngest daughter last year. Some have questioned, “Why would someone who currently homeschools want to be on the School Board?” That is very good question; however, in place of that I would ask, “What caused you to want to homeschool your children?”
The answer is that the school system was unable to provide what was needed at the time for our children. There is gigantic need in our school system for students and parents who require assistance with learning. My oldest has always had severe test anxiety which when she was younger would cripple her when it came test time. Her teacher told us that she was doing all that she could to help her but did not have the resources to address the situation. This decision was a very personal one which required much prayer and consideration. I am happy to say that our daughters have flourished while homeschooling and they have both expressed interest in going back to public school again next year.
I have spoken with parents all over Botetourt County who have expressed similar frustrations in trying to obtain the help that they needed. I in no way blame the teachers or the principals for this, as they are doing all that they can to help every student. The inability to provide the proper assistance comes from the top down and it needs to be addressed.
When I decided to run, I knew that there were many issues that would need to be tackled head on, and I vow to do everything in my power to make our school system better for every family in Botetourt. So I ask for your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Matthew J. East
Blue Ridge District Candidate
Botetourt County School Board
Another benefit planned for Shiloh Community Building
Editor:
Another huge sale is in the works to benefit the Shiloh Community Building on Shiloh Road, Eagle Rock. It will be at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 (rain date Saturday, Oct. 26).
We are so deeply grateful to all of you who came out and supported us back in June when we held the first yard sale. It went well; however, we still are in need of additional funds in order to have heating/air conditioning installed in the building. Hopefully, with this upcoming fundraiser we can meet our goal in fundraising.
If you have any household appliances/items or gently used furniture you would like to donate, please call Sharon Britt at 620-2625 or Bonnie Britt at 884-2788 for pick up of your donated items. We cannot accept any clothes.
Watch The Herald in coming weeks for more information regarding items that will be for sale.
Bonnie Britt
Eagle Rock
Ballast Point closure violated the spirit of incentive agreements
Editor:
Closure of the Ballast Point restaurant, as reported recently in The Herald and other local media, is regrettable. The location has been highly popular as a meeting place for individuals and local organizations. It has attracted out-of-towners to the county– I have seen many out-of-state license plates in the parking lot. It also provided more than 30 jobs, full- and part-time jobs, which are now being eliminated. And according to employees I talked to recently, it was, in fact, profitable.
The company received both local tax incentives and state grants to open in Botetourt, and the closure violates the spirit, if not the letter of these agreements. I hope that Botetourt County and the state of Virginia will call them out on this.
The closure is due to Constellation Brands, the parent company, changing its business plan. Their press release said that they are “reallocating Ballast Point investments to drive growth in core local markets.” I can only reply that as a local in this core market, I will not contribute to that growth. I will no longer buy their products.
Christopher Richter
Buchanan
Country wants Ballast Point to look at alternatives
Editor:
Since 2016, Ballast Point (under the corporate ownership of Constellation Brands) has been a key member of Botetourt County’s corporate family. We greatly value Constellation Brands’ investment in the county and in the production facility that continues to operate at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield. We look forward to the possibility of expanding the Botetourt facility through Constellation’s innovative growth and building on the relationship we have had for the past three years.
We are disappointed that the Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen closed; however, we are thankful to have enjoyed and benefitted from its presence in both the Botetourt community and the broader Roanoke Valley. The Tasting Room and Kitchen served as the venue for regional sporting events, community fundraisers and civic and community organization meetings. It truly has been a hub for all types of activities in our region.
Botetourt County leaders hope that Constellation Brands studies and implements any potential alternatives for the future use of the facilities so that the public may again enjoy this impressive restaurant space.
Cody Sexton
Assistant to the County Administrator
Editor:
This letter is a public display of my full support to Aaron B. Lyles for Valley District School Board. I first met Aaron four years ago on the campaign trail, when he and I were both running for Valley District School Board. We collectively received 56 percent of the votes. But with three candidates, the incumbent was re-elected. During this time I discovered that we both shared many of the same ideas and vision for Botetourt County Schools. For the most part, our ideas mirror each other. Aaron and I both have served on various committees for the Botetourt County Republican Committee with John Alderson and Billy Martin. Aaron is a member of Glade Creek Baptist Church and is a believer in Jesus Christ. He has earned my trust through his work ethic, dedication to get things done and his energy. He is an independent thinker.
I have lived in Botetourt County for 55 years and in Cloverdale for 36 years. During this time, I have watched the Botetourt County school budget swell to over $52 million. We the taxpayers of this county are taxed to cover 50 percent of the yearly budget or $26 million. The remaining funds come from state and federal government. A few months back, John Williamson wrote an article in The Fincastle Herald, “Under the Oak Tree.” In this article, he pointed out that the School Board is hired by citizens and the superintendent works for the School Board. If only it worked that way. During the last 20+ years the School Board has only been a rubber stamp approval for whatever the superintendent wants. This is done with no regards to senior citizens living on a fixed income or to we the taxpayers.
The other candidate running for the Valley District School, Tim Davidick, boasts his service as a member of community advisory committee. This is the very committee that recommended that Botetourt County Schools stop honoring valedictorian and salutatorian. I was told that other school boards throughout the country are trending to do the same and Botetourt was just trying to keep pace with other school systems. This trophy for all mentality scares me. This is Botetourt County and not California. This thought process leads me to another question. What will the next trend be that he will recommend for approval? The current School Board chairman, out of precinct School Board members and others have hand-picked Tim Davidick for the Valley District job. This good ol’ boy network likes to recruit individuals that are followers and folks afraid to ruffle feathers. A wrong person elected to office will only ensure another four years of rubber stamp approvals. Please on November 5, 2019
VOTE Aaron B. Lyles for Valley District School Board.
Donald Helms Jr.
Cloverdale
