Superintendent Jack Dale discussed topics including his recently proposed budget and future retirement during a press conference at Gatehouse Road on Jan. 17. The budget calls for a 9 percent increase in spending which is expected to cover the needs of the county’s growing population of students and a 2 percent salary increase for teachers.

“My top priority before retiring is to get the budget to cover the needs of the school system so the next person in my position doesn’t have to worry about picking up the pieces from the recession, but can look forward,” Dale said.

According to Dale, the enrollment growth demands a larger budget. Typically 8,000 students enter the county each year and approximately the same number leave. Recently, the same numbers of students are entering the county, but fewer are leaving.

Dale also discussed changes to the online learning system in place. Currently, the school board is working to find a balance between virtual learning and in school teaching. Because the dropout rate from online campus is considerably higher than from high school, the school board is trying to find the right kind of environment that would keep students motivated.

“The question is, what are the right elements for online learning?” Dale said. “I think that’s probably the next thing we are going to look at.”

Additionally, Dale expressed his support for Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposal to repeal the Kings Dominion law, which prohibits school districts from opening before Labor Day without a waiver from the state.

“I’m very supportive of his repealing that law. We surveyed staff, teachers and community members,” Dale said. “We have about 65 to 70 percent approval of starting before Labor Day.”

Dale also hopes to bring back the Teacher Leadership Initiative, which was cut due to budget restrictions. The initiative was implemented in 2005 and provided teachers with year-long contracts, allowing them more time to develop student curriculum and improve instruction.

“I regret not having been more aggressive on Teacher Leadership and not making it a more permanent component of the school system. This may have prevented it from being cut,” Dale said.

Having served as superintendent since 2004, Dale announced his intentions to retire after June 2013 and is considering teaching at the university level. The process to select a new superintendent has yet to begin, but is expected to start in October or November with the help of a consulting firm. The final selection will be made by May 2013.

“I have told the new school board that it is most important that they establish their goals for the year before considering who the new superintendent will be,” Dale said.

Comparing the current school board to the previous one, Dale said, “They have more student perspective. This board will be quick to make changes whereas the previous board wanted changes made more steadily.”

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