A Letter from Raymond Miller

December 14, 2009

Dear Parents and Citizens of Goochland County:

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who have engaged the board during the beginning phase of our budget preparation. You have done a great job of communicating your priorities and we are fortunate to have heard from all of you. The annual school budget process takes its next step after December 15. The School Board now has the responsibility of constructing a budget that is responsive to student needs and community expectations. We will continue to work until the school budget is forwarded on January 22 to the Board of Supervisors for its approval.

The 2010-2011 school year will be especially challenging for Goochland as with school systems across the nation. Universally, school systems are experiencing decreasing revenues and increasing costs. These two factors have led to the inevitable conclusion that painful cuts in school programs will have to be made. During the past month, we have solicited input from the public. You have responded and two themes came through loud and clear:

1) Goochlanders do not expect their school system to be “average” or to just meet “state
standards.”
2) You are, and will be, supportive of the school system in a very passionate way.

As chairman and a member of a five-person board, I can say without reservation I too support these two positions. Further, I will do all I can to see that we send to the Board of Supervisors a responsible budget that will continue to move Goochland forward.

Raymond A. Miller, Chairman
District II