to allow them to effectively compete. We must not

to allow them to effectively compete. We must not let our kids just slip through thinking that the A’s they receive from us will guarantee their future success. 3) Questionable preparation of non-college prep students' Kids who are not headed for college must also be given a sufficient mental sendoff to allow them to find suitable high paying work. 4) Insufficient course offerings. 5) A lack of a sense of direction on the part of students. There is a sense among the kids that Rappahannock was somehow second best in whatever activity was undertaken.

4. Issues for the next four years include 1) An increasing budget squeeze from all sides. 2) Providing for special needs education will be a continuing challenge. Special education is a growing percentage of the school budget. I am not insensitive to the needs of those kids with physical or mental limitations. The challenge is and will be how to provide quality programs for all of our students. 3) Pressure for non-traditional approaches to education support - i.e. vouchers. While there are many places where vouchers may appear to be the only way to deal with really mediocre public schols, I do not believe that is necessary in Rappahannock County. 4) Pressure from special interest groups. There is a sad tendency these days for groups to be intolerant of any ideas but their own. It is vital that voices of reason and balance are not drowned out by vocal proponents of single issues. 5) Challenge to make the community feel it has a stake in the schools.

5. A qualified Yes. Money has been set aside in the current budget to study this possibility. It currently costs about $9,000 per student to send kids to Piedmont for vocational training. Unfortunately about 1/3 of the time for such training is spent riding the bus to and from Piedmont. In