Letters to the Editor for Sunday, March 14, 2010

Bedford board unfairly targets teachers
I thought it might be time to give a more balanced perspective to one of your news stories. The lead story in The News & Advance on March 5, “Employees unwilling on pay cuts,” was one-sided and unfair to the employees of Bedford County. The School Board paid a contractor to conduct a survey soliciting the reaction of employees to a proposed 10 percent maximum pay cut. This survey had three questions with no place to comment. The School Board evidently felt the county’s lack of money fell upon the shoulders of the employees to fund the salaries of 124 positions and the closing of two schools. And the School Board did not care how the employees felt about this cut in their pay.

For many years, teachers in Bedford County have been some of the lowest paid in the state. And, there have been no state raises in two years and none from Bedford County.

In the same edition of The News & Advance in the business section, in his article “Va. likely years away from restoring cuts,” reporter Bryan Gentry wrote that, “it could be years before state has more money for education” and “local taxes probably will go up to pay for education.”

Bedford County employees are well aware that it will be years before we get another raise. The employees are also realizing that the cost of everything is going up and will continue to rise while our benefits are gradually reduced. So I pose this question, why should employees subsidize education in our county, especially in the amount of a 10 percent cut?

It was also reported in the lead article, board members debated going “line by line” through the budget to find savings. Member Dave Vaden said he felt the board hasn’t “scratched the surface of potential savings.” Why wasn’t that venue explored? Why was the first reaction of the School Board to cut money from the teachers’ pay? I would have thought if teachers were valued as much as they purport, that would have been the last measure taken.

The survey and the lead article said nothing about restoring the cuts at a later date, leaving little hope for teachers, many of whom have part-time jobs to meet their family’s needs. The article reported that the survey was done two weeks prior, yet I have not heard of even one employee who received notification of the results.

How many other school districts have conducted teacher surveys to cover the educational expenses of their localities only to release the results directly to the papers? I, for one feel betrayed by the Bedford County School Board. They communicate a lack of sensitivity, compassion, professionalism and leadership in upholding educational standards in Bedford County.

I know the employees of Bedford County to be dedicated, hardworking and loyal. They are also the first line of defense for the county’s children. A little respect and appreciation should be in order. I know that times are tough but do NOT take our pay.

My wife and I have vested interest in Bedford County. We are homeowners and we also do not have children. We would support a 1 to 4 cent increase in the property tax if it went to BCPS only and was for the duration of no more than two years. This is the discussion that we should be having, paying our fair share and not cutting the low pay of the employees of Bedford County Public Schools.

JOHN and PATRICIA McCALLUM
Goode

Sludge hearing
If you own land in Campbell County, it’s important that you attend the March 16 biosolids public hearing at Rustburg High School.

From 6:15 until 6:45 p.m., materials will be available showing which properties are proposed for sludging, Come and make sure your land has not been inadvertently included in this permit.

So far, county citizens and employees have found 14 properties that were mistakenly included in this permit when the actual landowner had not given permission to have sludge applied to his property. I find this alarming, as DEQ has admitted that they do not verify the accuracy of information received in a permit application yet this is what is used to draft the permit.

The permit hearing will begin at 7 p.m. If you wish to speak, come and sign up. Written comments will be accepted by DEQ through March 31.

ED FOSTER
Lynchburg