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Enrollment increase
predicted to continue
By LOU HATTER
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
“It happened,” said Superintendent David Gangel, reporting on a “routine” first day of school on Sept. 6.
Remembering back to the same time last year, as Dr. Gangel began his his first day of school in a new division, he was faced with reports of asbestos found by workers on the new high school addition and heavy rains and potential flooding which eventually forced an early dismissal, the superintendent sounded understandably relieved as he reported on an uneventful return to school for the county’s students on Tuesday.
The biggest problem, Dr. Gangel said, was that the buses were somewhat slow along their routes. But, he added, “that’s to be expected.” It is a routine problem nearly every year, and works itself out over the first week as the students and drivers become familiar with the bus routes.
Dr. Gangel said that although he has no firm figures yet, his “gut feeling” is that enrollment will once again be up over the average daily attendance of 931 students in the county’s schools last year. “It’s too early to tell,” he said, since the elementary school will enroll students through the first week of school. The superintendent said he expects to have enrollment figures to present to the school board at its meeting Sept. 13.
The high school addition and other improvements to the elementary school are “99 percent” completed, Dr. Gangel reported. Seating in the high school auditorium was installed over the weekend, and carpet will be laid this week. “All the major components are completed,” he said, although some finishing touches remain.
There are some items which the contractor will repair or replace before the county takes over full ownership, Dr. Gangel said. “It’s like any other facility — we have a list of minor items which need some touching up. The contractor will make good on them.”
Coach Gary Leake reported Tuesday morning that students were already requesting that he open up the new gymnasium so that they could practice basketball during lunchtime. The basketball team will begin weight training in the high school’s new weight room on Monday, Coach Leake added.
“The new cafeteria is going great guns,” Dr. Gangel
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