State Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, extended an invitation to the Prince Edward County Public School Board to meet and discuss some of the division’s goals and challenges recently.

“The (board) was delighted to host Sen. Peake for a School Board Luncheon on Sept. 6,” officials said in the release. “Topics discussed included: the history of Prince Edward County, hiring, funding, Standards of Learning (SOL) metrics, homeschooling standards and much needed capital improvements.”

“The biggest question is how can you help us?” said Vice-Chairman and Hampden District Representative Beulah Womack in reference to Peake.

“My general philosophy is leave it local,” Peake said. “The best way we can help is to stay out of your way and let you make your decisions; let you decide how you want to spend the money; let you hire people and focus on your curriculum. That is my philosophy.”

Peake also stated that he was in favor of “No unfunded mandates.”