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Whistling Dixie
“To assume that all students in Rappahannock County are capable of reading above grade level, reading above the national norm, performing above the national norm on achievement tests is whistling Dixie,” Bloojper countered.
Masterson asked how the superintendent could explain the 30 per cent drop-out rate of students between the eighth and twelfth grades.
Bloomer maintained that the lack of alternative education programs influenced Rappahannock’s high rate.
Where can the blame be placed when students can’t read, Masterson demanded.
On the parents, the child, the teacher, the educational system “or on a combination of these factors,” Bloomer responded.
“What’s being done to improve the situation?”, Masterson asked, adding that he wanted a specific plan, to improve the educational program.
“The most specific plan I can give you is the six year division plan adopted by this board,” Bloomer countered.
Nature Of The County
“I’d like to defy anybody to say that children can’t learn in Rappahannock County,” interjected Board member Paul Nichols. In response to Stokes’s pointing out the low level of educational attainment in Rappahannock, Nichols said this was “the nature of the county.”
With no more discussion from the board members, Mrs. Massie asked for a motion to adopt, either the basic or the recommended appropriation for administration. When no one responded, she requested Nichols to act as chairman and made the motion herself to approve the basic. It carried three to two with Stokes and Masterson opposed.
Under the next category, instruction regular day school, Arthlinda Quaintance moved that the basic category be approved. Again, there was no second and again, Nichols took over as chairman so Mrs. Massie could second the motion. It carried three to two with Masterson and Stokes opposed.
By approving the basic rather than the recommended amount, the board deleted a special services coordinator, an art teacher for the elementary school and salary supplements for teachers and assistant superintendent. The basic
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