Hanover residents back schools budget

Twenty Hanover County residents addressed the Board of Supervisors last night during a public hearing on the county's proposed budget of $394 million for 2009-10, the capital-improvements plan, tax rates and more.

Half of the speakers represented the school division or teacher's organizations. They urged the board to adopt the school budget, which is part of the county's budget.

Mac Chenault, president of the Hanover Education Foundation, said the school budget was "free of fat and fluff" yet maintained key programs and staff given such "severe economic constraints."

A few speakers complained that their real estate assessments were too high.

Others thanked the board for support of programs such as Meals On Wheels and the Arts Council of Richmond, and asked for continued support.

The board is scheduled to vote on the budget April 15.

-- Holly Prestidge