When Will The Children Be First?

Funding for the education of our county’s future citizens should be done without question, and yet there is time and time again a funding shortfall for the public schools of Warren County. When will the children be first?

We have continued to meet the budget needs of our Sheriff’s department. I know the importance of our county’s Sheriff’s department, and I also know that not investing in our children’s education system is a future investment in the needs of our Sheriff’s department. The place that all too often sees humans at their lowest points. The place that has continued to see the effects of those children who fall through the cracks. Every person arrested or found in a crisis was once a child in school.

Every person was once a child in school.

Our investment in our schools gives us a unique opportunity to allow children to see their value and to learn what it means to be good, civic-minded citizens of the world. And to provide education that creates productive, prosperous people. Even if it means something as simple as knowing the value in a smile or finding passion in a future career path. Our schools and phenomenal educators teach all this and, of course, so much more as our state prescribes hundreds of standardized benchmarks to lead to educational success. And yet, our county continues not to prioritize the children.

Our schools, their teachers, and administrators are dealing with major issues related to staffing. Schools that are perpetually underfunded will continue to be understaffed. The schools struggling to meet state and federal accreditation standards in this county not only have the most staffing issues, but those staffing issues affect the students most in need. Students who are affected by low income and who have higher special education levels. Students are more likely to fall through the cracks.

This is an endless cycle. A cycle of high needs, understaffing, and low support contributes to conditions that cause accreditation issues and disciplinary issues, ultimately failing our students most in need of an education system that will prepare them for their future.

What will it be? Who will Warren County become? When will we invest? When will we stop allowing children to fall through the cracks? When will prevention be prioritized? When will the children be first?

Sarah Downs
Skyline High School Alum
Front Royal, VA

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the letters published on this page are solely those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Royal Examiner’s editorial team, its affiliates, or advertisers. The Royal Examiner does not endorse or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or validity of any statements made by the authors. The Royal Examiner has not independently verified the statements and claims presented in the letters. Readers are encouraged to exercise their judgment and critical thinking skills when evaluating the content. Any reliance on the information in the letters is at the reader’s own risk.

While the Royal Examiner makes every effort to publish diverse opinions, it does not guarantee the publication of all received letters. The Royal Examiner reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length, and adherence to editorial guidelines. Moreover, the Royal Examiner does not assume any liability for any loss or damage incurred by readers due to the content of the letters or any subsequent actions based on these opinions.

In submitting a letter to the editor, authors grant the newspaper the right to publish, edit, reproduce, or distribute the content in print, online, or any other form.

We value our readers’ engagement and encourage open and constructive discussions on various topics. However, the Royal Examiner retains the right to reject any letter that contains offensive language, personal attacks, or violations of any legal regulations. Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community of readers and contributors, and we look forward to receiving your diverse perspectives on matters of interest and importance.