Response to Mrs. Stuart
Dear Mrs. Stuart,
Thank you for your comment. When I refer to following past practices, I do so with the implication that they are worthwhile and serve a purpose. An example is the use of car pooling to transport bus drivers during the day. This is a practice that is recommended by the Commonwealth of Virginia to save money. We have shown the School Board that we save a minimum of $50,000 per year using this process. However, we also are continuing to review our practices to make sure that they are up to date and productive. This is part of planning for the future. Whether there will be a finance director or not is still up to the School Board. I am not against funding this position, I just think that there are other priorities this year. In terms of the school census, we will continue to follow the state guidelines and make efforts to count every head possible. Finally, I feel that we are progressing. Data released from the Virginia Department of Education indicates that Fluvanna has the highest graduation rate and lowest dropout rate in our area. We accomplish this while having the lowest per pupil funding when compared to the same school divisions. While we are not satisfied until all children graduate on time, I feel that this data is a statement of the dedication and commitment of our staffs from kindergarten through grade 12.
Again thank you for your comments and please feel free to contact me in the future.
Dr. Tom Smith
June 18th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
You mentioned carpooling to transporting bus drivers during the day. Can you explain this, please? It was my understanding that bus drivers have been given school-paid-for cars to commute back and forth to school to save money on driving buses back and forth. SOURCE: http://www.fluvannareview.com/articleDisplay.aspx?NewsID=2944 But if this is the case, why can’t these employees drive their own vehicles to/from work. Why is the school providing this commuter transportation?