We must act now

To the editor,
Everyone is aware of the constitutional obligation our state representatives have to balance the budget. What you may not be aware of is they also have an obligation to adequately fund public education. Article VIII of the Virginia Constitution states - "The General Assembly shall provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age throughout the Commonwealth, and shall seek to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained."
The governor has proposed $2.1 billion in cuts to education. This will lead to about a $6 million cut to Orange County Public Schools. Orange County will be forced to make severe cuts resulting in:
• Larger class sizes with 35 or more students
• Eliminating 81 positions
• Limited Art, Music, and P.E.
• No money to replace aging computers and technology
• No money to replace aging buses
• Sports may need to go to pay-to-play system
These cuts are going to be devastating to public education in Orange and to public education across the state.
Anyone who has children or cares about children attending Orange County Public Schools should contact their state representatives and tell them you expect them to honor their constitutional obligation to adequately fund education. Ask them if they have the courage, creativity, and conviction to fight for the children in our district and in Virginia? Let them know that if they are unwilling or unable to stand up for these children who have nothing to do with the economic mess we are in right now that they will not be receiving your vote when they come up for re-election. You can also encourage your friends and family in Orange and across the state to do the same.
• Governor Bob McDonnell
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
(804)786-2211
www.governor.virginia.gov
• Senator Edd Houck
Senate of Virginia
P.O. Box 396
Richmond, VA 23218
(804)698-7517
district17@senate.virginia.gov
• Delegate Ed Scott
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, VA 23218
(804)698-1030
DelEScott@house.virginia.gov
• Delegate Rob Bell
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, VA 23218
(804)698-1058
DelRBell@house.virginia.gov
If you really want to get involved you can attend the Rally in Richmond Saturday, Feb. 27 11 a.m. - 12 noon at the Capital Square Grounds and feel free to bring a couple of friends.
The time to act is now. Once these cuts are made it will be extremely difficult to reverse them in the future. Get active, get involved, get a stamp, get on your phone, get to your computer, and get to work on showing you support the children of Orange County!
Rob Pitera