Russell County Budget

I heard that some county agencies got cut thousands of dollars and there will be layoffs to county workers. Anyone else know anything?

where did ya get your information. look at the source.

from topix

Property taxes wentp 15% this year, they will probably be hiring instead of laying off like they shold.

What Next wrote:

I heard that some county agencies got cut thousands of dollars and there will be layoffs to county workers. Anyone else know anything?

They burnt the real estate owners up with a huge ass tax increase. You know this shit wouldn't happen if Russell Countians were smart enough to elect a Republican controlled board of supervisors. The Corruptocrats just can't believe in anything except tax and spend. Oh well, if that's what you like,, just keep putting the same old Democrat party in

U R SO DUMB wrote:

<quoted text>They burnt the real estate owners up with a huge ass tax increase. You know this shit wouldn't happen if Russell Countians were smart enough to elect a Republican controlled board of supervisors. The Corruptocrats just can't believe in anything except tax and spend. Oh well, if that's what you like,, just keep putting the same old Democrat party in

Republicans ran up the debt under Bush. It don't matter which party is in there. Democrats will run up the tab with services. Republicans will run up the tab giving contracts out to their buddies. The person that is dumb is YOU.

Cleveland,Elk Garden,Belfast,and Sword Creek,will be closed in less than two years,I would have to agree with the school board on this,it will bring people out of the the small run down areas to a bigger stage,like Honaker and Lebanon, this will be good for buisness,for the tigers and the pioneers,and teachers with more years of service,than the rookie (green horn) teachers will be able to pick which school they want to work at,not much change,just bigger schools and more students! People we elected the school board members,now its time we let them do what is best for our community! This is a good ideal and I stand behind the school board 100 percent!,no need for any pledges just time for change for the better!and for you "Razzy",politics and religion does not mix!,just keep it real.no need for any glorious fronts from a lying politician!

john wrote:

Cleveland,Elk Garden,Belfast,and Sword Creek,will be closed in less than two years,I would have to agree with the school board on this,it will bring people out of the the small run down areas to a bigger stage,like Honaker and Lebanon, this will be good for buisness,for the tigers and the pioneers,and teachers with more years of service,than the rookie (green horn) teachers will be able to pick which school they want to work at,not much change,just bigger schools and more students! People we elected the school board members,now its time we let them do what is best for our community! This is a good ideal and I stand behind the school board 100 percent!,no need for any pledges just time for change for the better!and for you "Razzy",politics and religion does not mix!,just keep it real.no need for any glorious fronts from a lying politician!

John, did you go to the June 11 School Board meeting? It sounds like you maybe heard what they discussed, at least that was supposed to be the topic. Surprised there hasn't been anybody writing about it here. I've been wondering if they decided for sure to close ("consolidate" they say) those 3 schools or not. Or did they decide to continue the meeting again? And I agree withn you, closing them is the only way out of the mess and classes still won't be over the state limit 25. I went to school with 31 kids in my room and I did okay. We should all support the board and get this done so the schools can get rid of the deficit Now not next year.

FrownyFace wrote:

<quoted text>
John, did you go to the June 11 School Board meeting? It sounds like you maybe heard what they discussed, at least that was supposed to be the topic. Surprised there hasn't been anybody writing about it here. I've been wondering if they decided for sure to close ("consolidate" they say) those 3 schools or not. Or did they decide to continue the meeting again? And I agree withn you, closing them is the only way out of the mess and classes still won't be over the state limit 25. I went to school with 31 kids in my room and I did okay. We should all support the board and get this done so the schools can get rid of the deficit Now not next year.

yep.I went,if I was guessing,I would say they'll be open 1 more year,what gave it away was when ole "RAZZY" renigged on his retirement,then gave us that speech about telling the truth! Every parent and teacher got 3 minutes tell why they liked these small school,some speeches where sad,some where funny,I really liked brandie's it was really good,but the one that made me laugh was when the guy with glasses from dante told the school board,remember me,you all should,everyone of you had a crack of the paddel at my butt at one time or another,then he was mad over some schools that have closed in the pasted got the windows broke out! But the ones I felt sorry for where the kids with ad,these schools have helped them a lot!

Well, you know if or when they close the little schools, then the principals of the big schools better be watching out for the ad kids. And the teachers who move on to other schools, too, I think they'll make sure the ad kids still get what they need. That ad needs teachers with special training and they're in the schools so that better not be a problem. If it gets to where ad kids are losing out, then their parents need to start on the board members. Or maybe parents could start a petition agreeing to the small schools closing IF THE School Board will make sure and follow up that the kids with special needs keep getting the education they need. Would be worth a try.

FrownyFace wrote:

Well, you know if or when they close the little schools, then the principals of the big schools better be watching out for the ad kids. And the teachers who move on to other schools, too, I think they'll make sure the ad kids still get what they need. That ad needs teachers with special training and they're in the schools so that better not be a problem. If it gets to where ad kids are losing out, then their parents need to start on the board members. Or maybe parents could start a petition agreeing to the small schools closing IF THE School Board will make sure and follow up that the kids with special needs keep getting the education they need. Would be worth a try.

I'm a little confused....is ad Attention Deficit Disorder? If so that is ADHD and as a teacher in a big school we have been dealing with this disorder for years and have no problems with making accommodations for this disorder. We also have special education services in our building. The schools in question for closing do NOT have special education classes. So the larger schools are better able to educate those special needs students.

For some reason, the parents at the smaller schools think we don't teach and aren't any good. I teach the same subjects as the teachers in the small schools. I just do it with more students. I just hope the parents are open minded if/when these closures take place and don't come in with big chips on their shoulders. It will make the parent/teacher working relationship very difficult.

teacher wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm a little confused....is ad Attention Deficit Disorder? If so that is ADHD and as a teacher in a big school we have been dealing with this disorder for years and have no problems with making accommodations for this disorder. We also have special education services in our building. The schools in question for closing do NOT have special education classes. So the larger schools are better able to educate those special needs students.
For some reason, the parents at the smaller schools think we don't teach and aren't any good. I teach the same subjects as the teachers in the small schools. I just do it with more students. I just hope the parents are open minded if/when these closures take place and don't come in with big chips on their shoulders. It will make the parent/teacher working relationship very difficult.

I don't think that the parent's are saying that the teacher's at larger schools don't teach and aren't any good. I have never heard that come out of anyone's mouth. It's more about the smaller class sizes and the closer knit community than anything, I believe, or it is for myself and my kids! I LOVE sending my kids to school knowing that they know everyone in their class and school for that matter and get along with everyone and it makes it more enjoyable and less stressful on the children. If you have never sent your kids to a small school, then you have no idea where the parent's with children in smaller schools are coming from. My kids started out in Lebanon, and they enjoyed it and learned alot, but we ended up moving to one of the small school's on the chopping block right now, My kids absolutely adore their new school and dont want to change back over to Lebanon, Although that's where they started! I just hope that these people on the Board of Supervisors make the right decision because it's not only affecting tax payers it will be affecting the CHILDREN! And I think that is what matter's the most, is the little ones! I just hope people understand that when you shut down these small schools, you are taking away from an entire community and I dont think anyone in Lebanon really cares because it basically just boils down to football and money and that to me is really sad!

Also, Check out this website!!

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/schoolrank....

Cleveland Elementary School is ranked number 1 in VA....Meaning it's the BEST Elementary school in the entire State of VA!

Why would you want to shut down the best of the best? It's a shame politics gets in the way of just about everything anymore!!

If they shut down this school, they should really put this in the books as the World's Most Stupid thing ever done!!

to Mom at smaller school:
I don't think anybody wants to shut down the small schools; the school board seems to have no other way to cut expenses to clear the $1,734,000 shortage in the budget.
It's my understanding that if they don't close the schools this year, their expenses to maintain, heat, cool, and power up the buildings will add to the district's debt and they will have to close them probably next year anyway. It's a desperate move on the board's part to try saving the entire system.
Whatever is done to resolve this problem, it is the kids' success that everybody is focusing on. I can't believe they'd close a school for what---the fun of it? Not the publicity. It's a humiliation that our budget is messed up to the point of closing schools. It's happening in other states, too. We want the best but can't afford it, so what else is left to do? I don't know.

teacher wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm a little confused....is ad Attention Deficit Disorder? If so that is ADHD and as a teacher in a big school we have been dealing with this disorder for years and have no problems with making accommodations for this disorder. We also have special education services in our building. The schools in question for closing do NOT have special education classes. So the larger schools are better able to educate those special needs students.
For some reason, the parents at the smaller schools think we don't teach and aren't any good. I teach the same subjects as the teachers in the small schools. I just do it with more students. I just hope the parents are open minded if/when these closures take place and don't come in with big chips on their shoulders. It will make the parent/teacher working relationship very difficult.

Teacher, you really need to get off Topix. If you want to be heard, then go to the school board meetings OR write letters to the editor and INCLUDE your name. These anonymous know-it-all replies are very annoying and childish considering a teacher should be a professional. Also, you cannot label the students by calling them Special Ed. Check it out!

Mom at smaller school wrote:

Also, Check out this website!!
http://www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/schoolrank....
Cleveland Elementary School is ranked number 1 in VA....Meaning it's the BEST Elementary school in the entire State of VA!
Why would you want to shut down the best of the best? It's a shame politics gets in the way of just about everything anymore!!
If they shut down this school, they should really put this in the books as the World's Most Stupid thing ever done!!

1 teacher to every 13.2 students! Those kids should be twice as smart as Lebanon kids who have to share a teacher with 23 other students. Maybe teachers should get paid per student - that would save money.

close the schools
lower taxes
layoff un-needed teachers or let them retire

my christmas list to the school board

also if you auction the land next to oak grove school (the ball field) i will bid on it, that might help you close your budget

another thing that hasnt been mentioned what is the reason why givens cant be closed as well as swords creek and the kids just all bused to honaker?

taxpayer wrote:

close the schools
lower taxes
layoff un-needed teachers or let them retire
my christmas list to the school board
also if you auction the land next to oak grove school (the ball field) i will bid on it, that might help you close your budget
another thing that hasnt been mentioned what is the reason why givens cant be closed as well as swords creek and the kids just all bused to honaker?

I agree with you------close, lay-off, lower, and sell!!

I heard a couple of those small schools have to remain open for a few years (maybe 3) because of the money (the type grant or loan) used to renovate them.

in agreement wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree with you------close, lay-off, lower, and sell!!
I heard a couple of those small schools have to remain open for a few years (maybe 3) because of the money (the type grant or loan) used to renovate them.

I agree sell,and would somebody please tell the town of honaker to sell the pool,if they are going to keep it closed! The town of honaker could use the money to pay for those new cop cars and trucks,yes let's cut cost,save,budget and sell,good ideal!