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To the editor:
Concerning the statement made during last week’s school board meeting about Rappahannock being able to offer students the same programs at the high school for $88,502 as is being offered at Piedmont Technical Education Center, I would like to inform the people of Rappahannock that this money is well spent. There is no financial way Rappahannock County could fund the same programs for the same amount of money.
Piedmont offers 17 different programs which offer second and third year classes. These are Cosmetology, Carpentry, Electronics, Electricity, Nursing, Food Services, Masonry, Computer Programming, Industrial Maintenance,. Auto Mechanics, Senior Intensified Program, Drafting, Fashion and Tailoring, Machine Shop, Small Engine Repair, Welding and Plumbing. Most of these courses are also offered each spring and fall at nights to adults from the four county area. (I remember quite a few people from Rappahannock at the night classes.)
Each instructor has a minimum of five years experience in the area he/she teahes. Also, the intructors take courses at universities and colleges to keep their teaching certificates in good standing. The $88,502.00 that was mentioned would not even pay the salaries of the instructors.
The laboratories are equipped with modern upto-date equipment that students will use in industry. Some are equipped with machines that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
As for the hour and half drive, the majority of students at Rappahannock County High School should get use to this for most will have to commute in order to find employment—simply because the county cannot employ all of its graduates.
Piedmont Technical Education Center has an employment rate of 91%. In my seven years at Piedmont most of my students who wanted to work have been able to find jobs even in difficult economic times. Speaking from personal experience, when my students complete the program they are not just laborers or helpers. A student with an A or B average is a skilled and highly qualified welder, sometimes better than people who have been on the job with actual work experience. This holds true in most of the classes because of the variety of materials and equipment to which the student is exposed. My personal opinion is that the county’s money is well spent!
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