THURSDAY, MARCH 13* 3008

THURSDAY, MARCH 13* 3008

Chappell’s challenge

Each xwr when the roii> round foe tV Rappahannock

County Public- ikhwk Supmntmirat

of Schools Dr Robert Chappell puts on hiis armor Ho knows that he's jEeuf to take some huts.

BT it's any consolation. Chappell is not alone. Suforintendents across the state hravv tor criticism as county supervisors look with skeptical eyes on what amounts to the largest chunk of their budgets - the cost of education.

While Governor Kaine hopes to get hiis Pre-K irtitiatree off the ground and Virginia colleges are struggling with rising tuition costs and random acts of violence. Virginias elementary middle and high schools are faced with delivering what everybody wants - quality education for theur children, dedicated teachers and edfevtivie and responsible administrators - and at a price that won’t force local taxes any higher

Its a tall order and one not easily filled, ' And then there's those Standards of Learning,

There is some talk that State mandated teste created with the No Child Left Behind Act in the late 9tts may get some much needed critical review That would be a good thing. Not because standard* shouldn't be high and not because Hispanic, Black, Disadvantaged and Special Needs children should be left behind. They shouldn't. No student should But the costs odraising the bar* should be looked at because in just about every state in the country that is trying to comply they are faced with hunted resources in terms of manpower and money What the fcderal government should require, the federal government should support with additional funds to the states to make new initiatives happen. Some states are bucking. At this point, Virginia is not but school districts have been feeling the pinch for years to meet the rigid requirements with the resources they have. And, in most cases, it isn't enough.

School superintendents do not have an easy job. They get it Grom aU sides, its part of the territory they take on when they assume leadership positions,

Chappell has raised the bar in this county He returned to Rappahannock because he wanted to make a difference in the lives of student's education. He has done that. The county is smalL and yes. enrollment is dropping. People are tired of paying higher taxes. Teachers are tired of having their profession devalued.

"teachers in Rappahannock will have choices to make as new schools open in Culpeper and Fauquier luring them to greener pastures - more money in most cases.

Chappell will undoubtedly find ways to trim the school budget. Hopefully, bell find ways to give the teachers a boost in their paychecks as he's doing it. Students will continue to perform well on SOL* ami hoth schools will no doubt be fullysaccrediU’d in the State's eyes.

Rappahannock County Schools are '‘second to none* but there's a price tag and then' shook! he.