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Stimulus Money Saves Gladys Elementary

posted 03/17/09 5:32 pm

search tags: stimulus • gladys • school

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ABC 13 - Stimulus Money Saves Gladys Elementary

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Gladys Likely to be Saved

Gladys, VA - Federal stimulus money has saved a Campbell County school for now. But in two years, those dollars will run out for Gladys Elementary School. Officials can't promise Gladys won't go on the chopping block again, especially because it's the district's least financially efficient school. Still, their goal is to keep it open for a long time.

Parents breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the news.

Lacy Webb, Principal - "We have a small school here but a very dedicated staff and very dedicated community."

Sharon Edwards, Mom - "I don't want my child to go into a big school. I want my child to have individualized attention, smaller classrooms."

That small size is part of the problem, because when you divide the costs of running a school, by the lower number of students attending it, it costs more per pupil. But it's also a major reason so many people love Gladys.

Marty Harvey, Campbell County Schools - "A small elementary school is a perfect learning environment. You are not talking about large numbers. Class sizes are smaller than average elementary schools."

Parents say that has contributed to kids doing well and having competitive test scores.

Terrie Holmes, Mom - "Mr. Webb runs a wonderful ship here. The teachers are very involved. The PTA, everyone, gets very involved."

But keeping Gladys Elementary open is all about dollars and cents. Without stimulus money, this place would still be in danger right now.

Harvey - "Hopefully the economy has rebounded and the funds we have been used to having will return, and Gladys will remain open for generations to come."

Holmes - "There are top notch teachers there. It's the best kept secret in Campbell County."

Right now the school board is also discussing boundary changes for six elementary schools. And that could mean more students going to Gladys Elementary.

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