Power-walking with the principal

At some schools, the principal’s retirement might go unnoticed. But Connie Ratcliffe’s departure from Patrick Henry High School at the end of this academic year will leave a void for her students. …

The education of William Fleming’s basketball team

The adults at William Fleming High School offered a lame excuse as to why a basketball player who was failing his classes was not benched. They owe the team, and the academically struggling student, a huge apology. They let everyone down — the team by denying it a championship, and the student by denying his education comes first. …

Government nepotism always carries risk

The buzz around the Capitol is that a Senate budget amendment targeted Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. It would cut state funding to a constitutional office by 10 percent if the elected officer hires a family member contrary to local nepotism policies. Woody has hired a dozen.

We’re not convinced this is the best way to discourage nepotism, but nepotism is certainly an issue worth the General Assembly’s consideration. Southwest Virginia doesn’t even need to look at Richmond’s sheriff to see the sorts of problems that arise when people hire spouses, children, nieces and nephews. …

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