PRINCE EDWARD – County Board of Supervisors Chairman William “Buckie” Fore reached out last Tuesday morning to the school community at the school's convocation, a kick-off of sorts for the new school year.

“The Board of Supervisors wants to do more to help our schools succeed,” he said in prepared remarks obtained by The Herald. “In fact, our citizens are demanding that the Board of Supervisors do more.”

He added, “So today, I challenge each of you to share with the Board of Supervisors what it will take to make our schools great. Tell us what you think. You are the professionals-the educators, the principals, the administrators, the School Board.”

Funding, the Chairman also highlighted, “is not an issue” for the County's schools. He noted that when he became chairman of the County's board in 2003, the County's appropriation to the schools was $6.1 million and there was an average daily membership of 2,688. In the 2013 fiscal year, the County's appropriation is $8.1 million and there's an anticipated average daily membership of 2,262.

He highlighted that the schools have 400 fewer students and $2 million more in local funding.

“The Board of Supervisors has begun deliberations on this,” Fore said. “It will continue to evolve until we decide on an avenue of approach. I urge you to have a voice in this discussion.”

He cited, “Great schools need talented, creative teachers who will do 'whatever it takes' to teach our children how to learn, even the ones who defy the system. I look out and see a room full of great teachers. So, tell me, do you have the support and resources you need to do 'whatever it takes' to teach our children how to learn? Please tell me.”

Fore would further note that great schools “need professional principals and counselors who will ensure an environment for learning, and quickly resolve the issues that detract from that environment.” He said he was looking out and seeing “great principals and counselors” and asked if they have the support and resources they need to “'ensure an environment for learning' that will help our teachers help our children to learn.”

Fore cited that great schools need a superintendent and school board “that are establishing the curriculum that will prepare our children for life and adopting and enforcing the polices that will guarantee an environment for learning to enable our educators to teach our children how to learn.”

“Please tell me what you need in order to do that,” he said.

A great school system, Fore also highlighted, needs its community to share its support and talents with the County's public schools.

“Please tell me what the community can do to support you, to support our children, to support our schools and I will ask it of the community,” Fore said.

The board chairman asked those in attendance to “tell me what you need in order to do your job better. Tell me what the community can do. Tell me what the Board of Supervisors can do. Be specific.”

He added, “Don't tell me you need more money. Tell me what you need the money for and why. Or, tell me where existing funding could be put to better use.” And, “Don't just tell me you need more parental involvement. Tell me how you think we can get more parents involved.”

Fore cited, “The Board of Supervisors wants to be a partner with the schools. With input and buy-in and support from our parents, our teachers, our principals, our citizens, our students, our administration, our business community, our School Board and the Board of Supervisors, we can prepare all of our children for learning and for life.”

(Those who would like to comment can email the Board of Supervisors at board@co.prince-edward.va.us or write to P.O. Box 382, Farmville VA 23901.)