by elizabeth farina
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The bitter cold is starting to creep under the skin. For the New Englanders who have transplanted to our fine commonwealth, I’m sure it’s reminiscent of bygone winters minus the umpteen feet of snow.

For the rest of us, who have lived in Mid-Atlantic States for most of our lives, we’re shivering – in January no less.

It makes sense to be cold in the northern hemisphere during the winter months, but the Midlothian coalfields are starting to look appealing as an alternative heating source to offset the upcoming bill.

All kidding aside, the frigid temperatures present a danger when heating sources are not properly used or exposure to the cold is prolonged. Check in on your neighbors who are homebound to make sure they’re OK. Keep an eye on co-workers while outdoors, too.

Fire, carbon-monoxide poisoning, frostbite and hyperthermia are some of the risks laid out in the Centers for Disease and Prevention literature. It’s not a thrilling read, but worth a peek, especially for those who work and play outdoors.

An arctic breeze will also usher its way indoors during the next few months as discussions of the upcoming proposed budget woes at the state and local level occur within the halls of government. It’s going to be a tough test of fortitude and vision for the elected officials who face their final decisions.

It’s not a surprise that we have a budget shortfall this year. Remember 2009? The conversation is virtually the same with only a change in the year.

The largest expenditure for both the state and the locality is education. It stands to reason that the buzzwords—teacher-student ratios, specialty programs, multi-tier of services, funding high-quality learning in a conducive and safe environment, our most precious resources—will surface again as cuts are proposed for education.

However, this time, we need to realize that education is a partnership and not an endowment fund. Parents, regardless of background, need to be responsible for their children, and parents need to be held as accountable for progress as their childrens’ teachers.

Simply, we can no longer afford to not actively participate in the school system, especially given the increasing costs of education. Our children in the community are not poker chips to bet on when reducing funds, nor should they be used as shields to guarantee funding. In fact, from a bureaucratic viewpoint, educational success is measured by the Standards of Learning, not the operating budget.

It’s time for an open, searchable, line-item look at the expenditures and revenue of the education system in this county. After all, many are a year ahead in making real-life adjustments since a federal stimulus package didn’t extend to the private household budget.

The sizeable amount of the shortfall is shocking to anyone who does not work with millions and billions of dollars on a daily basis. Yet, we’re getting over the shock and want to dig in to the numbers. It is time for the community to be bold thinkers when addressing the budget expenditures.

Looking forward to hearing from you through our “Letters from the Inbox.” E-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or mail a letter to PO Box 40, Midlothian, VA 23113.