More shrugs from our supervisors

By JAMES E. McDANIEL
Published: April 13, 2008

The editorial, “Play politics” (April 2, page A6), included this statement: “After all, the county has been at the bottom of the ‘local government effort’ school funding list for years. That dubious honor produces more than its share of shrugs — but little else.”
Well, recently Pittsylvania County Schools received more shrugs from the Board of Supervisors — to the tune of $686,000 less local funding support for the 2008-09 budget than was included in this year’s allocation. This dubious honor funds the school system at just $100,000 above the minimum required local effort by the state and is less than 1 percent above the required local effort. Local governments across Virginia averaged 61.47 percent above the required local effort during the 2006-07 school year.
All Pittsylvania County Schools have met full accreditation standards, and earlier this year Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and the state Board of Education recognized 10 of the 18 county schools for academic excellence. Clearly, we have become a victim of our own success. Many say the schools are excelling now with limited local support. What’s all the fuss about? Why the need for change?
Roger Gillispie, chairman of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, is quoted in a recent position statement regarding the proposed school budget as saying, “It is imperative that Pittsylvania County provides adequate funding for education which focuses on improved programming that better prepares our students for their future. Technology, vocational equipment and extra-curricular activities are just a few of the programs that allow our students to be competitive for 21st century jobs that focus on team building, technical skills and creativity.”
Maintaining the status quo and doing business as usual no longer gets the job done in this global economy. This community should understand this concept more than ever with the recent closing of Dan River Inc. and the decline in tobacco farming.
The roots of my family tree are deeply entrenched in textiles and tobacco. These are proud and noble professions that require hard work, determination and stamina if one is to be successful. Most of my family, including me, at one time or another worked in one of these jobs to earn a living.
The times, they are “a changing.” The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that today’s learner will have 10 to 14 jobs by the age of 38. One out of every four workers today is working for a company they have been employed by for less than one year. More than one out of two are working for a company they have worked for less than five years.
We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t exist yet, using technologies that have not been invented in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet. Future competition will not be against our cross-county rivals. Because of the Internet and other contributing factors, geography will no longer be a barrier. The jobs will go to those who can perform in the most cost effective manner. In this global economy, our students will be competing with others from all around the world for jobs.
We are entrusted with the responsibility to provide our students with the tools they need to be successful in an ever-shrinking, highly competitive world. Expectations must include providing every child with a wide-array of options to compete in the 21st century workplace.
The citizens of Pittsylvania County appear to understand the importance of investing in the educational future of their children. In November 2007, the voters passed a $70 million bond referendum to expand and renovate the four county high schools by a 64 percent to 36 percent margin. In most circles, this would be considered a mandate in support of public education.
The Future of the Piedmont’s landmark report, “Learning. Working. Winning.” included the following statement: “World class economies have world-class workers. Education and work force development are the most powerful tools in our economic development arsenal.”
Groups and organizations such as the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce have cared enough to speak out and publicly support education. However, where are the community leaders and advocates for a well-educated work force? Where is the voice of those who attend meeting after meeting discussing and debating the importance of education and its relation to economic development? Where are the leaders that privately criticize the school system for failing to meet their expectations yet have never mustered up the courage to hold the appropriating body accountable to adequately fund education? Where are those influential people who have the political capital to demand and affect positive change?
School Board member Sam Burton was recently quoted as saying, “don’t listen to the Board of Supervisors — look at their actions and that has been their history — there is no leadership and no plan for the future.”
Burton’s assessment is dead on, but it goes much deeper than just the governing body. Look at the actions of those community leaders who aspire to take us to places we wouldn’t go by ourselves.
Real heroes are recognized for their courage. They care enough to confront impossible situations with passion, enthusiasm and action. What will the future hold for Pittsylvania County Schools? Will the county’s leadership — and others — continue to shrug their shoulders and do little else? Or will those who really care sound the trumpet … and call for action that will help Pittsylvania County Schools to be recognized as an innovative, challenging and exemplary school division?
McDaniel has been superintendent of Pittsylvania County Schools since 2003.