Appomattox’s ability to thrive in the years ahead depends on how much we are willing to support and invest in our public schools, through funding, engagement, and sustained attention, beginning today.
I am both a parent and someone who’s spent years pursuing higher education. I know from experience that children’s futures are shaped not just by what happens at home, but by what happens every day in their classrooms. I see the dedication of our teachers and staff, the excitement (and sometimes anxiety) on students’ faces as they head off to school, and the way a good education can open doors to a lifetime of opportunity.
But I also see the challenges, some of which can’t be ignored any longer. The truth is that our schools are under real pressure. One building operates at over 100% of its student capacity. Others are operating at over 90% capacity, with more students arriving every year. The county wisely approved $1.13 million for much-needed repairs and upgrades, but bricks and mortar are only part of the story. What about the people inside?
Let’s talk honestly: Teachers are being asked to do more with less. When enrollment goes up and resources don’t keep pace, it’s not just an inconvenience. It’s a recipe for teacher burnout and student frustration. I know teachers who spend their own money on classroom supplies, who take work home night after night, and who worry constantly about reaching every child in their care. I have seen, firsthand, the impact a caring, well-supported teacher can have on a student, and I have also seen the toll it takes when teachers are stretched thin.
The county’s FY 2025 school budget is $37.14 million. On paper, that looks like a lot. But when you break it down to cover staffing, transportation, technology, facility maintenance, extracurriculars, and rising costs for everything from textbooks to electricity, it becomes clear just how tight things can get. Last year, Appomattox schools nearly lost $800,000 in state funding simply because a $300,000 local match couldn’t be secured. These are not just numbers, these are lost opportunities for our kids.
What does all of this mean for families? It means we risk larger class sizes, fewer programs, and teachers leaving the profession altogether. That is a future none of us want. Our children deserve better, and so do the teachers who give so much of themselves every day.
This is not about finger-pointing or politics. It’s about priorities. Are we willing to step up, not just in moments of crisis, but year after year to make sure Appomattox is a place where families want to stay, teachers want to teach, and students want to learn? I believe we can and should.
If we want a strong, thriving future for Appomattox, we must invest in our public schools and the people who make them great. That means more than the occasional budget boost or facility fix. It means committing to adequate funding, hiring enough staff to reduce overcrowding, supporting professional development, and giving teachers the respect and compensation they deserve.
Let’s make Appomattox known for more than its past. Let’s build a future where every child leaves our schools prepared, confident, and proud of where they come from. That future starts with us, and it starts right now.
