Page 3 - January 24, 2018

FEATURE

www.villagenewsonline.com
Pet bill New schools,

Continued from page 1 new start times,
outside. The result was House Bill is a measured approach to a subject
646, which he filed on Jan. 9. that has long troubled animal welfare cleaner ed
Last year, Bell introduced a similar advocates.
bill that was shot down in the “It is, I think, impossible to
General Assembly for being too disagree with the idea that people spaces
strict. Planning for this session’s should not tether dogs outside in
bill began last April when animal severe weather conditions,” she
advocate Gary Sweeney started a said.
Midlothian resident Jamie
petition on Change.org to introduce Ericksen’s neighbors know to call her Highlights from Dr. Lane’s
a bill that would specify when the
weather is considered too extreme when they encounter an animal in
need. Recently, she reunited a family
for dogs to be left outside. with their cat that had been missing 2018 budget
Sweeney launched the petition
after he reported a short-haired dog for two years. Currently, she said
left outside in Henrico County and she is trying to help a dog that is left BY MARK FAUSZ Hopkins Road.
was told by Henrico County Animal outside at all hours in a small pen. The 2018 budget for Chesterfield Jan. 31 at 6 p.m.: Clover Hill and
Control that the pet owner was not “I just hope that this bill gets County Public Schools (CCPS) was Matoaca districts at Chesterfield
breaking the law. passed because I know that the introduced to the School Board last Career and Technical Center @ Hull,
“I went back and read the animals suffer,” Ericksen said. “It’s week. James F. Lane, Superintendent 13900 Hull Street Road
existing laws thoroughly; I realized hard to understand how someone can of Schools, said, “The $647.4-million Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.: Matoaca District at
that there was nothing in place in leave their animal outside in extreme proposal includes approximately Matoaca Middle East Campus, 6001
Virginia’s law that had anything to temperatures and think that they’re $25.5 million in new revenue that will Hickory Road.
do with extreme weather,” Sweeney OK or they enjoy it.” fund our operations during the 2018- “The $647.4-million proposal
said. “It does have an adequate HB 646 has been assigned 19 school year.” includes approximately $25.5 million
shelter provision – but it doesn’t to a subcommittee of the House Parents were very unhappy when in new revenue that will fund our
specify by what type of [dog] house Committee on Agriculture, CCPS experimented with outsourcing operations during the 2018-19 school
is adequate enough.” Chesapeake and Natural Resources custodial services; it generated year.
The Humane Society of America – the same panel that killed Bell’s nearly 200 complaints in 2015, its “This proposed budget focuses on
caught wind of Sweeney’s petition legislation last year. The committee first school year. In 2018, the budget the School Board priorities of equity
after tens of thousands of supporters is also considering HB 889, proposal also includes $7.7 million and student growth, supports our
quickly signed it. The Humane introduced by Del. Robert Orrock, to meet the School Board’s charge to increasing student enrollment that
Society worked with Sweeney and R-Caroline. Instead of establishing address a custodial outsourcing issue continues to grow more diverse and
Bell to draft something similar to the a statewide law, Orrock’s bill would that according to Lane has not worked refocuses our efforts on sustaining
delegate’s 2017 bill. empower local governments to as expected. “Under the School safe, supportive and nurturing
Robin Starr, CEO of the restrict tethering dogs outside. Board’s new plan, schools would learning environments.
Richmond Society for the Prevention The subcommittee was scheduled be served by day porters during the “The proposal maintains the
of Cruelty to Animals, said this bill to meet Monday afternoon.
morning and by third-party vendors School Board’s commitment in the
brought in for extensive cleaning at five-year plan to increase salaries
night. This important, and needed, by 10 percent over a five-year
A Completely Different Experience in Dining change aligns with the School Board’s period, supports the modernization

directive to ensure that our schools of the student registration process,
LUNCH HOURS are safe and clean for students and increases our focus on student growth
Sun-Fri 11:00 am - 2:15 pm staff members,” he said. measures instead of state-mandated
DINNER HOURS The CCPS budget meetings with tests, addresses equity issues in gifted
Sun - Thu 4 pm - 9 pm Lane’s presentation are: education, enhances student wellness
Fri - Sat 4 pm - 10 pm
Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m.: Dale District support, and expands
12730 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Chester – 804.751.9898 at Falling Creek Middle, 4724
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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