A packed house faced the Augusta County Board of Supervisors Wednesday night. Students, teachers, and parents pleaded for additional funding to keep vital education programs away from the chopping block.
The catalyst for Wednesday night's outcry is a three-tiered list of possible cuts to Augusta schools. Some are dramatic, like closing Craigsville Elementary School or eliminating the Shenandoah Valley Governor's School. County supervisors ask for patience as they try to make up for the hurt coming from Richmond.
School supporters filled the supervisors meeting room, urging them to make up more of the state's $4.5 million funding shortfall. Several said they'd be willing to pay higher property taxes if necessary.
Many of the advocates offered passionate pleas to protect the governor's school, which serves the region's top students in math, science, and humanities.
Lisa Donkle, a governor's school parent, said, "You're looking at researchers, scientists. These are talented, talented, brilliant children doing what they absolutely love."
"I urge you to consider the impact the governor's school has had on driven students like myself, and the disadvantage that upcoming students will face," said Allie Casto, a governor's school student.
County supervisors have already offered to increase their share of education funding by $1.6 million dollars, part of that to offset losses in state revenue.
The message from several supervisors was you're preaching to the choir. They urged school supporters to take their message to state legislators through phone calls and emails.
Board members will do just that - face to face - when they head to Richmond on Thursday.
