Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Education is an essential issue for the families and students of Isle of Wight County. I am thankful that we have elected officials who take that seriously. 

Mr. William McCarty has always supported our schools and worked to provide adequate funding for our students. The county built this new Hardy Elementary, a $38 million project, and did not raise our taxes. That is rare! This, along with providing funds to finish the CTE programs that private funding did not cover. 

McCarty was a part of ensuring teachers and staff received raises given by the state. This included giving raises to the non-SOQ positions. Several years ago, McCarty and the Board of Supervisors kept the raises for everyone, despite the then governor’s move to not give it to everyone in the schools across the state. That was Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Those non-SOQs are positions that the state says you do not need, in their opinion, to meet quality education standards. Thus, it becomes one of those unfunded mandates we have heard spoken of. 

Mr. McCarty values our kids, our schools and our parents. Do not believe or listen to anything else. Voting for McCarty in November.

 

Shannon Thomas

Smithfield