Editor, Gazette-Journal:
The school board in Mathews is facing many tough decisions in these next few years that will require much time and money to address. These include dealing with failing infrastructure of the aging schools, slowly dwindling school population (resulting in reduced state funding) and the need for competitive teacher salaries, which—of most importance—providing the best possible education for our county’s school children, K-12. Student test scores, as in other localities, indicate a need to improve in learning the basics, reading now being particularly targeted by the state. Money and space are stretched thin; consolidation of facilities appears almost certain.
Now the local YMCA is proposing the creation of a much-needed day care, but wishes to house it, rent free, in the county schools. The program would be started with $200,000 in seed money and $100,000 in yet-to-be obtained grants. Future funding is unknown.
Conversations began with the schools in September. Th...