School Board member shares letter about decision

(Editor’s note: The following letter was submitted to the Hanover County School Board during its May 8 meeting.)

Dear Chairman Axselle, Hanover School Board members and Dr. Wilson:

As we have discussed, please accept this letter as the official notification that I will not seek reappointment as the Ashland District representative on the Hanover County School Board. 

After 36 years of service to the children and citizens of Hanover County, this clearly is a difficult and emotional moment for me, but I will leave the board tremendously pleased with the quality and effectiveness of Hanover County Public Schools. Since 1976, I have had the honor of being a part of a public school system that has continued to improve working hard to support academic programs and professional educators’ efforts that meet the needs of every Hanover student. I leave with a deep sadness that I will no longer be a member of a policy- making body that embraces one of the most noble missions of our society — the promotion of public education. 

Thirty-six years of public sector leadership have given me the opportunity to witness first-hand the difference a strong system of public schools makes in a community, a state and a nation. Through its history, America has relied upon its public schools to effect substantive and progressive societal change. Millions of students over generations have looked to our nation’s schools to offer every student, regardless of background, talents, interests and abilities, the opportunity to fulfill his or her potential and become a positive part of the American Dream.  Indeed, our public schools, in Hanover and across the nation, are the bedrock of our democracy, and it has been a matter of great personal pride to have helped lay that foundation for our nation’s future through the investments made by our community in Hanover County’s schools.

Make no mistake about it, Hanover County Public Schools are today second to none. The validation of our school district’s quality and effectiveness come from the testimonials of the most highly respected auditing and accrediting agencies in our nation. And the measures of our students’ and teachers’ success place our effectiveness within the top ranks of our state and nation. Those of us who have been fortunate to serve as School Board members in Hanover recognize that our community has high standards and that our citizens turn to us to meet and exceed those standards year after year.

I have been fortunate to have worked alongside dedicated, effective School Board members, school leaders, teachers, parents, business, county and community leaders, and I have witnessed first-hand the devotion and expertise they all bring to our noble mission — the education of our children. It has been a privilege to work with four of Hanover’s 12 superintendents — J.K Samples, Stephen M. Baker, Stewart D. Roberson and Jamelle S. Wilson. As members of our team, our superintendents have seized the opportunities the School Board has handed them and have taken the school district to ever-higher levels of performance and responsiveness. Without this teamwork, Hanover County would not enjoy the enviable record it has attained.

In anticipation of this moment, it seems to me that I should be prepared to answer several questions: What has been your greatest success in your service as a School Board member? What is your greatest concern as you exit? And what are your plans for the future? The answer to the first question is straightforward. I am most proud of how our school district has invested its resources wisely to teach all of the children it has served. A public school system ideally does just that. It recognizes that not all children march to the same drummer, that not all children come to school equipped with the same readiness to learn, that not all children have a college degree as part of their vision, that every child has special talents and immense potential to be nurtured and enhanced, and that resources for education do make a difference in elevating the quality of life for all of the children we serve.  In other words, because we all have embraced our noble mission, we have succeeded in creating impressive and diverse educational opportunities that are the envy of the nation and the world.

My response to the second question is linked to my concern for the present and future of public education. It is obviously based on my long experience with and my deep commitment to the value and importance of quality K-12 public education. As chair of our School Board for eight terms, as one of the most veteran board members in our state and as a person who cares deeply about the creation of public policy affecting public schools at the state and federal levels, my greatest concern as I leave the board is that the positive public attitude toward and support for public schools are threatened now more than at any time in my 36 years of service. At a time when public schools face more mandates and testing requirements, millions of dollars are being cut from school budgets each year. Our nation and state have become sadly polarized on the value and quality of public education. What’s worse, much of the discussion about the inadequacies of our public schools is not always based on facts and research, but on public rhetoric and uninformed opinions that are divisive and self-serving.

Hanover’s schools have been largely immune to these political wars over the last few decades; and, in 1994, when voters soundly turned back the elected School Board notion, our community told us that we must be the protectors of the school district and shield it from the devastating effects of polarizing politics. Though it saddens me to see our state and nation embroiled in public school issues in the way that they are today, it is my hope and prayer that the citizens and leaders of Hanover County will continue to be the shield and protector of its high quality schools and of its children. Equally prayerfully, I wish for all of us a stronger economy so that all of our schools will be able to focus on how they can better meet the needs of all students. 

Question three, regarding my future plans, is more easily answered. On a personal note, I plan to spend quality time with family and friends and continue being involved in the greater Ashland/Hanover community. I hope to use the experience gained from years of working with outstanding educators, parents, citizens, business and political leaders and students to continue to be an advocate for quality public education. I hope to continue to support the mission of public education by helping to communicate the reality of our public schools and the extensive research that highlights our many important successes and our critical responsibilities. And finally I hope to encourage others to recommit themselves to that which has helped to make our country great — our public schools. 

In concluding, let me profess that there is no greater calling than to be a leader or an educator in a public school system today. I have tried to approach my role with care, compassion, energy and devotion. As we know in a system built upon a model of continuous improvement, our work is not completed and never will be. I look forward to watching, supporting and cheering Hanover County Schools’ continued path of educational excellence — truly God’s work. I appreciate all of those who have appointed me, worked with me, communicated with me, challenged and enlightened me, supported me (especially my family and friends), and who have thus enabled me to enjoy serving in a role that,  by its very nature,  makes a difference in the lives of students, educators, parents, citizens, and our world. 

With my sincere thanks and best wishes,

Sue Forbes Watson

Questioning required deposit

After owning a home in Mechanicsville for more than 20 years, I decided to move into a rental. 

As a young senior citizen, I thought it would be in my best interest to leave maintenance, etc., to someone else. 

As I changed my utilities over to my new address, I was shocked to find that I was required to put a $150 deposit on water and sewage. I questioned the person I spoke with, and was told I could request a waiver, which I did, in writing.

I hand-delivered my request to the Hanover County Department of Public Utilities. I was referred to a supervisor who advised me waivers wouldn’t be granted.

I try to understand the logic, but feel the blanket policy should be viewed on an individual basis, taking into consideration the length of time one has service, and their payment history. 

The dollar amount of the deposit equals approximately five to six months of service, and I don’t consider myself to be a “flight risk.”

Again, probably nothing will come of my concern, but I feel a little better for sharing with my Hanover County neighbors.

Warren S. Jones
Mechanicsville

Wondering about ‘facts’

I enjoy reading the letters section of The Local, even if I am only counting the number of misrepresentations and distortions per line.

This week (May 2, 2012) was a doozy, but I will limit myself to one fact check. 

In a letter on the Affordable Health Care Act on May 2 (really, folks, it is not called ObamaCare), the writer was incorrect: Federal monies cannot pay for abortions and this has been the case for many years.

Indeed, Republicans in this session of Congress have spent time, energy and taxpayer money to “doubly” and “triply” make certain that no federal dollars are spent on abortion now or in the future via the Affordable Health Care Act. 

Interesting: I thought the Republican agenda was “jobs, jobs, jobs” not passing of redundant legislation. My mistake.

One more point: When a writer asserts a falsity, you have to wonder about the rest of the “facts” in the letter.

Judy Thomas
Mechanicsville

‘Career politicians’

It is getting so that one day doesn’t go by that President Obama and his Chicago cronies use the “Executive Order” to take more of our freedoms away. Isn’t there anyone in Congress that has any guts to stand up to this guy? 

Unfortunately, it would seem that the GOP is taking a “wait and see” attitude before any action is taken. Why is the Republican National Committee so silent on this? Is there even an RNC anymore? Is the Liberal Left holding him for ransom somewhere?

It all boils down to this: Along with the Obama and his administration, we must also kick out the “career politicians” in November. You know who they are. We must elect persons to office that care about America more than just getting re-elected.

Also, If Obama would happen to get re-elected, he will undoubtedly appoint two more liberal judges to the Supreme Court to replace the Conservative ones that will probably retire, which means that there won’t be any unconstitutional law enacted that won’t be ruled unconstitutional anymore. An utter catastrophe.

This country can’t take four more years of Obama.

John Louis
Mechanicsville

Inflation a hidden tax

Inflation is a hidden tax. It is going to get out of control in the very near future because currency is being printed by the trillions and then given away to various huge Institutions at home and overseas and also to foreign countries that refuse to try to get out of debt. 

Every time a new dollar is printed the one in your pocket is worth less.

Inflation results in higher and higher prices that cause companies to reduce what they are able to pay for labor, products and services. 

We are currently experiencing both Inflation and deflation at the same time: Rising costs and falling wages.

In the Great Depression, a great many avoided malnutrition and starvation by growing their own fruits and vegetables, and by recycling seeds.

Grow food in flower trays at your windows. Plant seeds in containers on the roof or porch if possible. Get into canning for winter food needs. Share seeds and know-how with friends and neighbors. If you can, raise chickens.

Revert to the barter system as much as possible. This worked 80 years ago.

It is impossible for a government to spend its way out of debt and into prosperity. In order for it to continue the Ponzi scheme, the government must confiscate wealth from the population in order to spend more and more and then turn around and confiscate more and more so it can spend more and more. 

The general government over-spending carrousel is speeding up and is out of control.

Robert Mackay
Mechanicsville

College students’ Obama support

President Obama has reportedly been “visiting college campuses in key states to rally students.”

From what I’ve seen and heard online, the reception has been quite warm.

College students of America, a re you in denial? Have you lost your minds?

There is reportedly a 50 percent unemployment rate among recent college graduates.

One out of every two of you will be outrageously debt-saddled and eventually living at home with mom and dad.

Success, 2012-style.

The other half will be outrageously debt-saddled, “fortunate” to have some awful cubicle job that barely meets the minimum payments on your student loan obligations.

You’ll be in front of a screen, selling products and services you don’t believe in, making the world a slightly worse place, all so you can hang on to barebones corporate health insurance.

Hope! Change!

Obama hasn’t done a darn thing for people in our age group.

This country’s wealth has been squandered on outrageous projects, like a $2 billion data center in the desert to spy on Americans’ online communications, rapid expansion of the TSA, solar panel companies, foreign country bailouts and to defense contractors who make creepy high-speed drones designed to kill “enemy combatants” without trial or judicial review.

LaToya Brown
Mechanicsville

Saying ‘enough is enough’
President Obama continually uses his “power of office” to circumvent the Constitution.

Maybe I’m ignorant, but someone please tell me where in our Constitution does it say that the president has the right to make the laws?!

His favorite response is: “We can’t wait.” Who is we? 

Is that his sole excuse to impersonate Hugo Chavez?

I thought that our Constitution was created to limit the power of government, not to give government the right to trample on it.

Didn’t he once take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States? 

Has he been committing impeachable offenses and getting away with them? 

I think I answered my own question. 

Isn’t it way past time that someone in Congress has the intestinal fortitude to stand up and say “enough is enough?!”

Leslie Zodun
Mechanicsville