Smith announces retirement
February 19, 2010 by Bryan Rothamel · View Comments
Palmyra — Shocking meeting attendees and the School Board, Fluvanna Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith announced his retirement effective June 20, 2010.
While addressing the board on his budget proposals, he said he was trying to help where he could to save money for the school district.
While discussing no pay increase and possible layoffs to staff and faculty, Smith said, “[The budget situation] worries me a lot. Peoples’ jobs worry be a lot” before saying he would retire from his post.
“That should save some money,” he finished the impromptu announcement.
“Speak about emotional.” Board member Bertha Armstrong, Fork Union District, continued, “I hope the reason you are retiring is the reason you want to retire.”
Brian Phillips, Rivanna District, said to Smith during member comments, “No matter where we go, you are well respected.”
Smith has been employed with Fluvanna County Public Schools for more than two-thirds of his life. Smith, who turned 58 this week, was first hired in 1988. He was named the district superintendent in 2002.
The benefits of Smith’s retirement might not be readily seen. Chairwoman Barbara Gibbons, Rivanna District, noted that she thinks the district will not save any money after a search and hiring process is completed.
Gibbons said to the board, “It is up to us that message [to the next superintendent] is, ‘We want you, we will support you, will will guide you.’”
Last June, the School Board renewed his contract for four more years. Last year his salary was reported by the Fluvanna Review to be around $165,000.
Salary increases for Smith are tied to average increase of district teachers. Teachers did not received an increase for this fiscal year and it is proposed they will not again for next fiscal year.
The School Board now has to finish the district budget before mid-March. The budget is slated to be at least $2 million less than last year’s budget.
Smith’s current proposed budget still needs over $550,000 cut to be balanced. If Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s proposed budget cuts pass the General Assembly, the district will have to cut up to $950,000.
Also noted by Smith, Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors might cut $2 million from local provided funds. Last year the School Board received $15 million from Fluvanna County. The two boards will have a joint work session this Saturday to discuss budget items.
Vice chairman Thomas Muir, Palmyra District, lightened the mood at the end of the meeting saying, “I’d like to thank Dr. Smith for treating me as well as he has, I didn’t deserve it most of the time.”
Fluvanna will now have to replace two top officials in the county government bureaucracy. Feb. 10 the county administrator, G. Cabell Lawton IV, left to take the same position in New Kent County. The search for a new administrator has been delayed until the county budget is completed.
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