information on liability coverage for bus drivers in case

information on liability coverage for bus drivers in case of an accident that results in the injury or death of a child.

Bloomer replied that the school’s insurance covers the drivers as well as the students. “I’m not sure about legal fees,” he said, offering to check the policy and report back to the drivers.

The board also authorized Bloomer to investigate sick leave policy for all classes of school employees as well as the other requests from the drivers. Chairman Beverly Massie added that it would be helpful for the drivers to present their requests in the future at the start of the annual budget process.

Experience Important?

Elementary school librarian Lucia Kilby prefaced her comments by noting that she has taught for many years in the Rappahannock school system. She expressed dismay over remarks made at an erarlier budget meeting by Robert Eastham who suggested that experienced teachers go back to school to become administrators in order to gain financial benefits for their years of experience.

“We need good, experienced teachers in the classroom,” she maintained. “If this is the viewpoint of the board, we can expect an even more drastic turnover (in teachers),” Kilby maintained, referring to the 40 per cent turnover in faculty this term. “And who will suffer? The children of Rappahannock County,” she concluded.

In his remarks at the special school board budget meeting, Eastham replied, he hadn’t tried to imply that teachers have no value if they .choose to remain good teachers, “What I meant to say is that this board must address itself to upgrading our staff from within the staff. We have to find leaders in the staff and encourage them to develop...That is what I meant—not that a teacher who is a good teacher shouldn’t remain in the classroom,” Eastham ex. plained.