The News That Moved Us This Past Week
February 16 - February 23
by Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The week just past saw a welcome resolution for one childcare center, the Spotsy School Board going back to the future, the Stafford School Board and Board of Supervisors at loggerheads on Elementary School 19, and the community rising up to do what’s best for families. In addition, Drew asks, “Can you hear me now,” Clay Jones calls it plain, and a troubling look at the wider childhood crisis.
Number 5: Spotsylvania School Board Approves Slew of Policy Revisions at Special Meeting
The Spotsylvania School Board at a special meeting on Thursday approved revisions to eleven policies and regulations concerning Board member policy compliance, policy adoption, agenda format, Board-Staff communications, and media relations. The Board also held a closed session to discuss personnel matters and to “consult with legal counsel … regarding specific legal matters,” according to the agenda. Following the closed session, the board approved by a vote of 5-to-0 (members April Gillespie and Lisa Phelps were absent) a separation agreement with “Employee A.”
Number 4: Stafford Supervisors, School Board Members in Disagreement over Elementary School 19
The location of the 19th Stafford County elementary school continues to be a source of tension between the School Board and Board of Supervisors. At the Supervisors’ last meeting on February 6, Chair and Falmouth representative Meg Bohmke again expressed her unhappiness with the School Board’s decision to build the school at Brooke Point High School, instead of on land proffered for a school in the Embrey Mill neighborhood. “I believe it is our fiduciary responsibility as the Board of Supervisors to withhold funding and request changes,” Bohmke said. “When you have all these Board members sitting up here saying this is a terrible location, something has to change, unfortunately.”
Number 3: Stafford Supervisors Ask School Board to Revote on Embrey Mill Location for Elementary School 19
The Stafford Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to draft a letter asking the School Board to stop work on building Elementary School 19 at Brooke Point High School. Instead, it will ask the School Board to vote for a third time on accepting a proffered school site in the Embrey Mill subdivision in the Garrisonville district.
Number 2: Mary Washington Hospital to Allow Kids' Station to Stay
The Advance has just learned that MWHC has extended the current location lease to Kids’ Station on the campus of Mary Washington Hospital. Kids’ Station will remain at its current location until a new home can be found. MWHC and Kids’ Station will also work together to find a new, permanent location for the center near Mary Washington Hospital.
Number 1: Hundreds Have Signed Petition Asking Mary Washington Healthcare to Let KinderCare Stay
As of noon on Thursday, 738 people have signed their names to a Change.org petition asking Mary Washington Healthcare to let KinderCare daycare and preschool (also known as Kids’ Station) stay in its current building on the healthcare system’s campus.
Humor - Drew Gallagher
Is God into home remodeling? Is the Presbyterian minister who married Drew and his love still in the profession? Is Sandra Bullock a Southern Baptist minister in drag? Hey, God, can you hear Drew now?
Commentary - The Childcare Crisis Is Here
The explosive announcement from KinderCare has brought to the fore the childcare issue that has been vexing members of our community for more than a decade. Buckle up - it's only going to get worse.
Clay Jones
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