Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 23, 1992 TAG: 9202210050
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CHILDREN'S EDUCATION VITAL TO ALL OUR FUTURES
There are some advantages in being a senior citizen. One of the most important is you have lived long enough to understand that all human beings are linked together and are dependent on each other.When it comes time to spend the community's money, each of us should see beyond our own private benefit or loss. What is the best expenditure for the common good? And the common good should be considered in the long-term, as it will affect the next generation [and] future generations.
You do not have to be a fortune teller to see that a good education for all children must be available if these children are going to contribute their unique talents to the progress of this nation and humankind.
It is necessary to make some sacrifice, even to pay higher taxes, so that equal opportunity can be offered for all children to have good public education. What better way is there to pay back those generations before us who sacrificed for our future?
The school budget for Montgomery County has been proposed by the School Board and will be shortly decided by the Board of Supervisors. It raises many questions about what items should be part of a good education: Should teachers' salaries be increased? If so, how much? Should there be more money spent on education supplies, especially in the science programs? Should more buses be purchased or leased to reduce waiting times from 20 minutes to 10? Should there be computers in each classroom?
In times of economic recession, it will be difficult for the supervisors to take the long view of what is best for the future of current students, unless they receive some support from their constituents who have studied the budget and have an informed opinion of educational priorities.
If you, as a citizen of Montgomery County, care about the future of our county, state and nation, come to the meeting of the Board of Supervisors Monday at 7 p.m.\ Nadine Newcomb\ Blacksburg