GOLD HILL – As he said he would, Superintendent Gary Blair went to Gold Hill Elementary School on Thursday night to meet with parents, staff, and members of the community about the possibility of closing the school because of budgetary reasons.

The meeting came a week after Dr. Blair visited the school to talk with the principal and the staff about the possible closing.

News of the closing surfaced after the Buckingham County School Board approved its preliminary budget proposal for FY13 at its March 14 meeting. That budget is based on the supposition that the school is closed.

By closing the school, the division would save $576,000 in operation and personnel costs. However, even with that move, the proposed budget falls short by $1 million.

Facing a crowd of approximately 120 adults and children, Blair explained that initially Gold Hill was not on his radar. He explained that the move was prompted by a budget that began with a $3 million deficit.

Blair said he was faced with looking at what is in the best interest of the children-all the children. He offered, “And that is difficult.”

After a “budget amputation,” the deficit has been reduced to $1 million, stated Blair. He told the audience that he has tried to find the $576,000 to save Gold Hill but added, “It just isn't there.”

Blair stressed, “This is not the final meeting. We have some options so I'm going to ask for your help.” He added, “I'm asking for your help to look at all the alternatives.”

The superintendent shared that he was going to ask Dottie Hudgins, the PTA president, to find a faculty/staff member and a parent or two to meet with him and go through the budget line by line.

After explaining that he would have to fill that $576,000 gap if he says Gold Hill stays, Blair told the audience that he knew in his heart that if the children and teachers went to the schools on Route 20, they would be in good hands-great hands.

“They will have opportunities that I cannot replicate here in this building,” shared Blair. “So as hard as it is when my heart says one thing and my head another, as difficult as this is, I know that each child will be cared for like they are cared for here.”

Blair stated, “This is not just a renovation of painted walls to make it look nice. This is a total renovation of the curriculum, the way we teach.” He added, “We know this is going to be a great place for children.”

Asking for their support, Blair, said support was not blind faith. “I want you to probe, question, and challenge. But when we've finished, let's move forward together.”

Noting that the General Assembly continues to work on its budget, Blair explained that issues such as a proposal that would require school divisions to match five percent of the employee's contribution to the VRS could add another $600,000 to the deficit.

However, he added that they could also get more funding from the state. Blair explained that the reason the school board approved a preliminary budget was to give them the gift of time until they hear something from the state.

Citing a $715,000 reduction in federal funds and $219,000 in state funds, Blair said they have a revenue problem not a spending problem. “And, we don't want to spend anymore,” he added. “What I have asked all along is what do we want to preserve? What is so important to us that it takes priority?”

Moving on to part two of his request for help, Blair said he has received mixed messages from the community about the possibility of moving to the schools on Route 20.

He added that he would like for parents to tour the facility but at this time crews were putting in the floors.

“What I am going to ask is that before April 18, based on an honest answer, how many parents would really like their children to go there,” explained Blair.

According to the superintendent, in addition to the $160,000 for Gold Hill's annual operating cost, closing the school would result in saving $416,000 in personnel cost.

Blair explained, “The more schools we have, the more teachers we need. With one less school, I am able to save $416,000 in related positions.”

He continued, “It is not where I want to be. I don't like telling people they don't have a job and I don't want to do that.”

Blair explained that the budget includes anticipated increases in personnel cost such as health insurance and VRS contributions.

“Here's a plus,” shared Blair. “In talking with Mrs. Carter, the county administrator, she feels for us. She told me the other day that she knew we were trying hard to conserve and reduce; and, said she wanted to try to help us.”

Blair offered, “The bad guys are at the state and federal level. They are not here in Buckingham. They are not the school board and supervisors.”

He stated, “You look at Gold Hill, I look at the division, and the supervisors look at the county. I would never presume to tell the board of supervisors what to do-that is a huge job. But what I am asking is for is continued support for the schools.”

Reminding that last year, the school board asked for an additional $1.9 million in funding but the county did not have the capacity to do that, Blair said supervisors did agree to an additional $800,000 on a one-time basis.

According to Blair, to make up the additional $1 million deficit in the proposed preliminary budget, they are looking at the possibility of losing the pre-school program, advanced placement courses and other programs.

“Knowing that I am faced with the dilemma of Gold Hill Elementary, never wanted to be here under these circumstances, I'd like to be able to tell you that I found $576,000,” said Blair. “But, I don't think I can do it.”

Referencing his decision to recommend closing the school, he offered, “I hope next year I can say that this was the best decision I never made.” However, he added that he didn't think that was probable.

Blair said his dilemma was whether to sacrifice the division for Gold Hill or sacrifice Gold Hill for the division. “And that's tough but that is where I am,” he stated.

Continuing, Blair told the audience, “Please understand that my perspective, as superintendent, is on the broader, global view of Buckingham County and what my responsibility is to all children.”

Stressing that the reduction in staff was across the division and not directed at Gold Hill, Blair said it included six elementary instructional positions and five secondary instructional positions.

Before opening up the floor to questions and comments, Blair stated, “I respect each of you as parents and teachers. And, the theme is I do not want this to happen but I may not have a choice.”

The first question dealt with why more of the revenues from the Bear Garden Power Plant were not directed to that end of the county where the facility is located. Blair explained that the question was one he could not answer.

Subsequently, the speaker asked about increased energy cost for fuel to transport the children to the schools on Route 20.

Ronnie Plamore, director of transportation, explained that it was a little early to tell about the number of routes. However, he shared, “The kids from here will not be riding the buses any longer than kids throughout the rest of the county.” Referencing the renovated schools, he said the Route 20 facility is in the most central location it possibly could be.

Responding to a question about whether the younger kids would have to ride the bus with older kids, Palmore replied that they would, like all the kids in the rest of the county do.

After a question about how many new buses would be needed, Blair said they were not planning to purchase any additional buses. He added that the four buses that were previously in the budget were cut due to the deficit.

One mother shared that many parents who currently take their children to school, would no longer be able to do so because of the distance.

She talked about the large turnouts at Gold Hill's PTA meetings and said she didn't think the other schools had that type of parent participation.

When she asked why they couldn't close Buckingham Primary instead of Gold Hill, the audience applauded.

With K-3 students from Buckingham Primary moving to the facility on Route 20, the division is planning to use that school as a preschool center.

Blair explained that operational cost at Buckingham Primary are $130,000 a year versus the $160,000 at Gold Hill. Noting that no additional preschool positions would be needed, he added that there would be no related increase in personnel cost.

Bobby Jones, a former member of the board of supervisors, shared that when he heard the two schools on Route 20 were each being designed for an additional 100 students, it didn't take a rocket scientist to know Gold Hill would be closed in two years.

He asked Blair how much it cost for the new HVAC system that was added to Gold Hill. The superintendent responded that the project cost $319,000.

Noting that is more than half of the amount needed to keep the school opened, Jones reminded that the installation took place just over a year and a-half ago.

He talked about the closing of the Arvonia School and the county selling it for $20,000.

“They took that school away because they said they couldn't redo it. Now they say they want to take this school away because they can't afford to run it,” said Jones.

He shared that when he was on the board of supervisors, they received information about the number of teaching positions and the state standards for teacher-pupil ratios. Jones stated that the number of teachers in the division exceeded those standards.

“You can't tell me that we can't find 10 or 15 teachers that would like to have a buy-out,” said Jones. “That would relieve us from the burden and give us most of that money.”

He continued, “The other scenario is let's go to the man that owns the Arvonia School and see if he will sell that school back.” According to Jones, they could then sell the slate from that building, which he said would net about a million dollars.

“I hope that the money will be found somewhere and we don't lose a lot of people. I don't want to lose teachers but we've got to bite the bullet somewhere,” stated Jones.

Blair said that when talking about buy-outs, several employees said they would consider retiring if the division would pay their health insurance. “That's many years of a thousand dollars a month. We couldn't afford it,” he explained.

According to the superintendent, one answer would be to look at increasing revenues through donations.

One man, offering that he was willing to see his taxes increased, asked Blair if he had approached the county about doing so.

The superintendent explained that the board of supervisors would have to make that decision.

Another man, noting that he has contacted his legislators and the governor, encouraged everyone to do the same.

Blair said there is a possibility that Delegate Fariss will tour the schools when he is in the county on March 29.

One parent questioned why the school division continues to add more sports, such as JV soccer, when the budget is already stressed.

Another asked if moving the children to the schools on Route 20 would mean overcrowding at that facility.

Blair said they would be able to accommodate Gold Hill students if they moved forward with plans for the preschool center at Buckingham Primary.

However, he said if they did close Gold Hill but did not put the preschool program at BPS, fifth graders would stay at the middle school.

Donna Matthews, director of academic services, explained that state guidelines call for a pupil teacher ratio of 22 students to one teacher for grades K through three, and 27 to 28 students to one teacher for grades four and five.

She added that the buildings have seven big classrooms for each grade level and include an extra classroom.

A parent of a former student talked about the individualized care and nurture his child received from the dedicated staff at Gold Hill.

He questioned, “Are you telling me that mega school will show that kind of care to my five year-old daughter who will be starting school this year?”

When the parent said he heard that the new facility would be the superintendent's legacy, Blair responded, “It is not about me, it is about the children.”

Subsequently, a woman asked, “If it is about the children, then why do you all continue to take from this small school that has all these parents that are willing to participate.” She added, “If you wanted help, why didn't you contact us when there was an opportunity to make a difference?”

Several in the audience shared how they felt their community was treated unfairly when it came to new schools and/or renovations.

One parent stated, “This is a part of the county. We should have some rights and our children should have some rights.”

When another called the decision to close the school a “done deal,” Blair reiterated that it was not.

“Then why have some of the staff already been told they do not have jobs to come back to next year?” she asked.

Blair explained that the principal was the only person who was told she might not have a job next year. He said he told the teachers that if they consolidate the schools, he was going to lose some teachers.

Reiterating that the reduction would be division-wide, Blair said he told them the reduction in staff would be by the book and be clear and precise.

When another person questioned why a new school wasn't built in the upper end of the county, Blair explained that the decision by both boards was not to build new but to renovate the two existing buildings.

A parent of a child with special needs asked if funding would be cut from special education. Blair stressed that special education services must be maintained at their current level.

Another speaker questioned why the Gold Hill principal wasn't given the principal's position at BCMS rather than promoting someone to that position. Blair responded that the decision was part of a reassignment of personnel.

According to the superintendent, with the current number of facilities, the annual cost of educating a child in Buckingham is $10,000, which he said is above the state average.

Blair said that by closing Gold Hill, the projected per student cost would decrease to about $8,000 or $9,000 a year.

When others questioned why the renovation project wasn't downsized to save money and why less expensive flooring wasn't used instead of terrazzo, Blair explained that construction funding could not be used for operating costs and salaries.

Addressing more questions and concerns about the safety and care of the children, Blair stated, “With all change, I want some stability and I want as many people that teach here to go there for the stability of the children.”

He added, “I guarantee you it will be a safe school. I hope, I more than hope, I expect from the teachers, the principals and the staff that we care for all our children in all the elementary schools.”

Expressing concerns about bullying, one parent said that she did not think the school board was aware of the extent of the bullying. She added that she felt there would be more incidents of bullying in a larger school.

Another parent, encouraged by Blair's request for a committee to look at the budget, said Gold Hill has a resourceful group of parents who think outside of the box.

He asked if their ideas would actually be considered. Blair said he would take the committee's recommendations very seriously.

Asked about the remaining $1 million deficit, Blair said it was indeed very real. He added that they were waiting on the state budget and to see if the county has the capacity to make up the difference.

A bus driver talked about the caring environment of the Gold Hill community, which she said includes extended family for many of the students. Family members who she explained are ready and willing to take the children to and from school and support them in school activities.

She shared that the distance to the schools on Route 20 would be a hardship on many of those parents and grandparents.

Several parents said their children were already expressing fear and anxiety about attending a new school.

When one member of the audience asked if their representative on the school board voted on the budget proposal that included closing Gold Hill, Blair said he discussed the budget with that school board member but he was not at the March 14 meeting.

Near the conclusion of the meeting, several children shared their feelings about the possible closing.

“This is our little house,” shared one young girl. Another youngster added, “I don't want my school closed.”

A young teen offered, “I love this school. I want my little sister to stay here. I know these teachers will take really good care of her.”

The last comment came from a young boy who said he would be willing to give all his money to help keep the school open.

Thanking the youngster, Blair offered, “It may not get much better than that.”

Blair reminded the audience that although the closing is in the preliminary budget proposal, the budget process continues. He offered, “It is far from over.”