Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Any organization is only as good as the people within it, which is why I am very glad to see our school system doing what it can to take care of its teachers and staff. 

Superintendent Dr. Theo Cramer, School Board Chairman Jason Maresh and board members Michael Cunningham and John Collick made the right decision on how to use unexpected additional funding from the state; they funded the teacher step increases and provided an additional 1% raise for employees. 

Whether we like it or not we are competing with our surrounding communities to attract and retain talented people to educate our children, and over the last few years the salary gap between IWCS and our neighbors has been growing ever wider. People want to come work in Isle of Wight, but too much of a salary gap will convince them to work elsewhere. We saw that this year when eight of 10 educators declined positions with IWCS, citing the low salary offered compared to what they can earn elsewhere in the region. Funding the raise and the step increases is a small but necessary step towards achieving parity with our neighbors.

As we look toward next year, it would be great if our schools could offer transportation to students who participate in after-school programs and athletics. We have a lot of great, talented students. Just this month the School Board recognized for their achievements: the Windsor High debate team, the joint Smithfield High/WHS cooking team, several KidWind teams (including a two-time world champion!) and Great Computer Challenge teams from Westside, Hardy and Carrollton elementaries. However, not all students have a way to get home from school if they want to participate in after-school activities. School-provided transportation would ensure that all students who wish to participate in our great clubs and sports teams can do so.

Lastly, the Isle of Wight County Transportation website has a survey available for its newly announced Safe Streets for All program. Survey responses will be included in the countywide safety action plan that will be developed. Most of our schools lack safe pedestrian access, and the survey provides us an opportunity to weigh in on this and other areas where our transportation system could be improved and made safer for all users.

 

Greg Brown

Smithfield