(Rappahannock County does not offer summer school, but in

(Rappahannock County does not offer summer school, but in past years, state funds have been used to provide $25 in tuition assistance per student for Rappahannock youngsters who attend summer classes in adjoining counties. That $25 covered only a part of the tuition charge and parents were responsible for providing transportation to summer school in Fauquier, Culpeper or Warren counties. In addition, the tuition assistance was given only upon successful completion of a summer school course. This year, the state funds were not forthcoming and the School Board proposed using $750 in local funds for tuition assistance; the supervisors deleted that entire budgetary category. They also cut $1,220 proposed for adult education.)

With the completion of the superintendent’s presentation of his suggestions on how to absorb the cuts made by the supervisors, Mrs. Massie asked for reaction from fellow board members Bill Oliver and Nancy Reeve. (Mr. Nichols left at 10 p.m. before Mr. Estabrook finished his review; Randall Updike did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.)

“It’s a lot to react to,” Mrs. Reeve countered, asking the administrators to provide another set of alternatives based on eliminating only one teaching position and giving all classified employees an eight percent pay increase.

Mr. Oliver requested additional information on pupil/teacher ratio over the past several years and the impact a staff reduction would have on that figure. “We’re going to have to give somewhere,” he conceded.

“I’m not sure that (eliminating teaching positions) is a good plice to give,” countered Mrs. Reeve.

The board took no action Tuesday on Mr. Estabrook’s proposals but agreed to work Anther on budget adjustments next week following interviews of candidates for the assistant superintendent’s job.