Taylor named school board chairman

Coping with the ever-tightening state and local budgets will be the toughest challenge for the Waynesboro Schools during the next year, the new school board chairman said Thursday.

“We can’t allow the decreasing funds to affect the strides we’ve made in student achievement,’’ said Jeremy Taylor, who was selected chairman of the Waynesboro School Board during a reorganization meeting Thursday morning.

Taylor said there is the possibility of losing some state money during the new fiscal year, and next year’s local revenues are expected to drop.

The new chairman said the key is making sure the school district stays focused on its mission: educating children in K-12 “to be well-rounded literate adults as they come out of the system.”

Taylor said accountability is taxing the school district.

State and federal accountability forces school districts to test year-round.

Taylor spoke of the practice tests leading up to spring tests that count toward meeting the Standards of Learning and No Child Left Behind accountability benchmarks.

Taylor is succeeding Kathe Maneval as chairman. Maneval echoed Taylor’s remarks. She said budgeting for the current fiscal year was hard because of the unknowns.

“The economy is in such bad shape,’’ said Maneval.

And she noted that under No Child Left Behind, U.S. schools face a 2014 deadline for meeting a 100 percent graduation and pass rate on tests.

Waynesboro Schools Superintendent Robin Crowder said Maneval had not only worked closely with him as chairman during the past year, but spent considerable time as PTO representative at Westwood Hills Elementary.

He said Taylor has a similar commitment. He visits schools and meets with building principals and with Crowder monthly.

“We are fortunate to have their leadership. They are a great benefit for me,’’ said Crowder of Maneval and Taylor.

Jonathan Lovelady was selected as vice chairman of the school board for the upcoming year.