To the editor: How can it be in this

To the editor:

How can it be in this country, founded oh freedom of information, we could possibly be so misinformed?

Rappahannock County has given their teachers a 12 percent increase in salaries for next year, which represents the largest increases granted to teachers’ salaries in all of our neighboring counties, and in fact our planning district. Rappahannock County is also advertising a 63 cent tax rate, which also is the highest tax rate of all our neighboring counties and planning district. If we don’t do something about this, it will represent a virtually 100 percent increase in taxation over the past three years. If this occurs, you will find my signature on a vote of no confidence in my board.

I’m proud that our students will take a stand for their beliefs and exercise their right to peaceful assembly, but wish they had exercised their right to be properly informed. Even after the Supervisors’ cut of $120,000 from the proposed increases in the school budget, Rappahannock County gave the largest salary increases to teachers around, and had a student protest the very next morning. Virginia code prohibits striking teachers, yet many were not in their rooms with the students remaining in their classes. When the time came, the students disobeyed the principal’s order to return to classes, as was the deal.

I had returned from a two day business trip very late Tuesday night, at 3 a.m. My phone rang at 9 a.m., and at 9:15 a.m. I stood alone amongst some 200 students and teachers. I received over and over again, much personal abuse there. The attacks were followed by round after round of cheers and applause from the students. It was disgusting! I was on rights guaranteed to all of us by our constitution, and form of government. Maybe an alternative form of government, or a different flag in our classroom would be the answer?

I also find it amazing that such attacks would be made on the only Supervisor in recent history, who has