I urge Stafford residents to consider the future of our community and to let your supervisor know that you support our schools--especially those of you who do not have students in school.

The hard work of prior generations built our schools. Those of you whose kids have graduated and moved on benefited from that work.

The current taxpayers and Board of Supervisors must respect that investment with the funding necessary to educate the next generation. Our schools should reflect our 2011 standing as the 13th highest county in per capita income.

Stafford children must have the opportunity of a high-quality public education. Quality schools are dependent on quality teachers. Quality teachers require respect and compensation.

Every year the Board of Supervisors is asked to fully fund the school budget, and every year the board says "no." The people who bear the consequence of the budget shortfall is the teachers.

How long would you continue to work for an employer who over and over told you "no"? Great teachers have already left Stafford, and more will go if we cannot provide salaries that are competitive.

I am willing to pay for quality schools. Last year's tax reduction was estimated to save property owners $45. Was it worth it? What will this year's proposed reduction get me? It will cost my children another good teacher.

The Board of Supervisors says the School Board mismanages money. If they think that's true, I suggest they resign and run for the School Board. In the meantime, I'll start looking for supervisors who support our kids.

Sharon Foley

Stafford