Can the Board provide better education without continuing to increase costs?

            First, no investment in our community's future is more important than education. If we want
            our students to be educated and our community to attract businesses, we must continually
            make investments in education. This county has been supportive in the past, and I am
            confidentthat generosity will continue.

            Second, the cost per student of public education must not be forgotten. In West Virginia,
            we spend about $10,800 per student annually. That ranks us below the national average. In
            Greenbrier County, we spend about $9,200 per student. So while we could and should
            employ creative new ways of spending and stretching our education dollars, it is a
            misconception that we are spending too much on our students.           

            Third, if we work together as a community we can enhance our student's educations in
            cost-effective ways. For example, Carnegie Hall provides arts-engagement education
            through programs paid for almosts entirely through grants. Also, the Happy Kids program
            engages local churches and civic groups allowing them to pay for education-related costs
            our students on the margins cannot afford on their own.