For immediate release

School Board elects Wyman as chair for 2010

Last night during its first meeting of 2010, the Chesterfield County School Board elected a chair and vice chair and scheduled meetings for the rest of the year.

David Wyman, who represents the Dale District, will serve as chair. Marshall Trammell Jr., who represents the Bermuda District, will serve as vice chair. The other School Board members are Dianne Pettitt representing the Clover Hill District, Omarh Rajah representing the Matoaca District and Patricia Carpenter representing the Midlothian District.

Wyman reviewed the school system’s economic situation, saying, “We are headed into some uncharted waters for this county and this school system.” He noted that, even with federal stimulus money, Chesterfield County Public Schools “started this school year with a substantial reduction in staff from June 2009. Discretionary spending has been greatly curtailed, including spending on books, buses and extracurricular activities.”

He went on to say, “The next round of cuts in the operating budget — current estimates now put the funding gap on next year at $40-$50 million — will impact the classroom more directly; increasing class sizes, reducing supports for our at-risk populations, reducing the number of electives and putting additional pressure on music, art, language, career and technical programs.”

The School Board remains committed to its vision and mission for every student, Wyman said. “As we have heard in so many of the community meetings these past two months, education and safety are the top priorities. Education is the economic engine that drives this county — it is what attracts people to live here and it will continue to guarantee our economic prosperity on into the future. … We believe that our community recognizes the value of education and will support measures to reduce the shortfall to our schools.”

Meeting schedule for 2010

The School Board will conduct business meetings starting at 7 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road, on Jan. 26, Feb. 9, Feb. 23, March 9, March 23, April 27, May 25, June 22, Aug. 10, Aug. 24, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.

The School Board will hold public engagement sessions starting at 7 p.m. at the Fulghum Center, 4003 Cogbill Road, on May 11, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26

The board will hold quarterly work sessions March 26, May 21, Oct. 1 and Dec. 3 at the School Administration Building, 9900 Krause Road.

Visit the school system’s web site at chesterfield.k12.va.us for additional information about School Board meetings.

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