To the editor:
As a property owner and taxpayer in Colonial Beach, I wish to publicly thank School Board Chairman Tim Trivett for his personal efforts and tireless dedication in correcting a long running and egregious wrong perpetrated against the citizens, taxpayers, school staff and students of Colonial Beach.
While oftentimes being attacked, chastised and even ridiculed, both by the local gossips and in public, Mr. Trivett steadfastly pursued a proper, correct and legal course of action to identify and end the felonious actions of a former Colonial Beach School System Director of Finance.
Last Friday Barbara Worrell pleaded guilty to 13 counts of felony embezzlement from Colonial Beach Schools totaling well over $325,000 (per Commonwealth’s Attorney Dean Atkins). Judge Ellis expressed his hope that a more accurate figure could be obtained with her cooperation prior to sentencing in February.
Worrell’s cooperating with authorities, although desirable in getting more of the specific details of the case, almost doesn‘t matter at this point. Several years of School Board financial records mysteriously went missing prior to the TLC (Trivett, Looney, Congdon) School Board candidates assuming office.
Everyone with an interest in our community can only hope that there will be more aggressive questioning by investigators of all current and former School Board members, board staff and senior administrators who were employed during Worrell’s long tenure at Colonial Beach schools. Only then can we all expect to get more truthful, complete answers to what really did happen and look to where we should go from here.    
Again. Thank you, Tim. Thank you very much for all you‘ve done and continue to do as our School Board Chairman.
Ed Gunderson
Colonial Beach

To the editor:
I read Linda Davis’ “Bobby’s…Special Education” article with great interest.  This case seems to highlight many of the problems with special education.  In this case, it appears that many things went wrong.  That is very sad.  Hopefully, these problems will be solved and Bobby will get the support he needs and deserves.
Having said that, I feel I must respond.  As the father of a competent, dedicated, and effective special education teacher, the article uses one case to paint too broad a picture.  With all the concerns in this area, it is unfair to do that.  I see my daughter’s commitment, and love for “her kids.”  The many extra hours spent, outside school, working on ways to help “her kids” advance along their learning path.  I hear her talking about the successes, some small, some larger, that bring joy to her students and to her.  
My wife volunteers in our daughter’s classes and sees how many students improve under her guidance.  Her students are given structure and most are able to learn.  Parents talk about the change in their children after they achieve success in her class.  How their child now looks forward to school.  For many families this is something new and exciting.
There are other King George special education, and general education, teachers much like our daughter; competent, caring and effective.  We have met them.  I realize every teacher may not reach the level but many do.  
There are many problems in schools — not just King George schools — across the area.  These problems affect all students but probably impact Special Education Students in more ways.  Extra funding may help, but nothing will do more than a teacher who cares.  A teacher who can understand what their special education students — “her kids” — need.
I hope Ms. Davis’ future articles will balance her concern for Bobby with the continuing concern of teachers, like my daughter, for her many special “kids.”
Victor Fredette, Jr.
King George