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If elected to the Rockbridge County School Board, Anne Russek would push for greater educational access for students in the Buffalo District.
“Many Buffalo District children, and other districts, are at a disadvantage for afterschool activities and mentorship programs because they live considerable distances from Lexington,” she said. “I would research alternative solutions to ensure these students are not left out because of transport restrictions.”
If elected, she would also support career and technical education, as well as recognizing efforts already in place in the schools.
“I support efforts to enhance and promote career and vocational/ technology education (CVT) in both middle and high schools. I support the efforts of elementary teachers to require reading proficiency by the third grade and I support additional resources to help teachers achieve that goal,” she told The News-Gazette. “I would work to recognize the accomplishments of students in academics, athletics, the arts, community service and work-related internships and employment.”
From Russek’s perspective, a significant challenge for Rockbridge will be chronic absenteeism, particularly at the high school.
“One of Rockbridge County Schools’ problems is absenteeism, which affects school accreditation,” she said. “Although all county schools are currently accredited, RCHS received a red flag because of chronic absenteeism.
“At a recent joint meeting between the RCSB and the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors, it was acknowledged that options for dealing with truancy are limited and action steps have not kept up to the awareness of the issue,” she explained. “I would prioritize parental awareness and involvement through the guidance and truancy departments. There is a legal process that may need to be utilized for those students and parents who cannot be persuaded to improve attendance through school counseling.”
Another challenge for Rockbridge County schools is student mental health, which Russek feels should be addressed by greater education and more counseling options.
“Teachers should be trained to be aware of mental health warning signs, but it is ultimately trained psychiatric professionals, social workers and counselors who are needed to assist and identify students with mental health concerns,” she said. “At a recent RCSB meeting, there was a presentation on schoolbased health centers. One component of these centers is mental health services such as grief counseling, bullying, and suicide prevention. Students should also have the option to access faith-based counseling.”
When thinking about teacher retention, Rockbridge County should take into account larger issues such as inflation, Russek believes. “Salaries will always be a concern and inflation must be considered when raises occur. An increase in pay should be more than allowing for ‘making ends meet’,” she said.
She would bring her experience in business to recruiting teachers. “As a former business owner, I appreciate the challenges of recruiting employees and realize there are educational requirements specific to hiring a teacher,” said Russek.
“Regardless of the differences between business and educational recruitment, the common denominator is incentives. I would become familiar with current recruitment procedures by the School Board and offer suggestions that might be applicable,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Russek believes that Rockbridge’s teachers are the division’s strength.
“The greatest strength of Rockbridge County Public Schools is our teachers. Many of them currently have or had children in the school system. They love our community and they devote themselves to the success of the students and the schools they work in,” she said. “I believe our teachers are resourceful, resilient and Rockbridge Strong.”
Russek moved from New Jersey to Natural Bridge nearly 30 years ago, following a career working with horses. Recently retired, Russek had one child graduate Rockbridge County High School, and two grandchildren are currently enrolled in Lexington schools.
