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Abingdon/Bristol
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Board
Members Question School Coaching Policy |
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by
Scotty Wampler
News Editor
A policy
requiring coaches to be employed by the Buchanan County
School Board next year may be overturned just months after
gaining approval.
The
issue was raised after the board on Monday approved two new
coaches for tennis and track. Prater board member Paul Hayes
said he felt county children would be unjustly served by the
new policy.
"I
feel we're losing out on serving the children
sometimes," he said. "It's hard to find
coaches."
The
policy, which is set to take effect in July, was originally
adopted in October after North Grundy board member Don
Newberry initiated discussion on the topic, stating his
belief that all vacant coaching positions should be filled
using teachers currently employed by the school system.
Possession of a college degree was also stated as a
requirement in Newberry's October motion, which was approved
on a 5-0 vote, with one board member abstaining and another
absent from the meeting.
However,
Hayes insisted coaches could not always be found from the
available pool of teachers, which could result in some
sports programs folding. He said he agreed with Newberry's gesture of wishing to fill the positions with teachers, but
that it might not always be possible to do so.
For more of the story,
see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at
newsstands now. For more information on how to
subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123
today.
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Personal Property Tax
Relief Ordinances Amended
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by
Scotty Wampler
News Editor
Minor amendments
were made earlier this month to two ordinances providing tax relief
to certain elderly, disabled and disabled veteran taxpayers.
The
adopted amendments provide a fixed tax credit in the amount of $50,
to be applied on the personal property tax bill for a qualifying
motor vehicle for a taxpayer that meets the criteria established in
the ordinance.
The
board of supervisors originally approved the measures last fall.
Per
the ordinance, the vehicle must be a private passenger automobile,
van or pickup truck weighing no more than 2,000 pounds.
To
qualify as an "elderly" taxpayer, an individual must be at
least 65 years of age on or before January 1 the year relief is
sought. Similarly, to qualify as a "disabled" taxpayer, an
individual must be permanently and totally disabled.
For more of the story,
see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at
newsstands now. For more information on how to
subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123
today.
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Federal Grant Awarded
to SwVCC to Establish Construction Trades Academy
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by
Brandon Dye
Sports Reporter
Southwest Virginia Community College
is getting a large financial boost for its academic program,
according to Congressman Rick Boucher.
Boucher
announced that the U.S. Department of Labor through its Employment
and Training Administration is providing a federal grant in the
amount of $1,792,729 to create a Construction Trades Academy at
SwVCC.
The
new program is expected to reach out to people of the Southwest
Virginia region who wish to obtain careers in the construction
industry as well as giving them avenues without leaving the area.
SwVCC
President Dr. J. Mark Estepp said he has had conversations on and
off the campus about the college's accomplishments and what is
necessary for growth. He said this academy was something that could
be useful as businesses around the area are in need of workers who
are skilled and trained in such areas.
"This
is something that was needed," Estepp said. "I've heard
from businesses, 'I don't need ten plumbers but I could really use
one' or, 'I don't need [a lot] of carpenters but I could use one or
two.'"
SwVCC
is hoping that people will want to take advantage of the
opportunities that the Construction Trades Academy will offer them
which will benefit the region's economic development in the business
and industry areas as well as assisting residential construction.
For more of the story,
see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at
newsstands now. For more information on how to
subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123
today.
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