Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Confused about Merger of the Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind

Is there already the official merger of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB) of Stauton and the Hampton Roads School for the Deaf and Blind and Multi-Disabled (HRSDBMD)or what?

After reading the MSNBC's news report on the increasingly school budgets across the country to be heavily slashed and reduced, ex. school transportation cost and fuel. The article is written by Alex Johnson of MSNBC.

Johnson mentioned the fine example of the merger of the VSDB and HRSDBMD as part of the widespread trend to save the cost of state educational budget spending. He wrote:

"To save money, Virginia officials decided to merge the state's two school for
students with disabilities.

As a result, parents of students at the Hampton Roads School for the Deaf
and Blind and Multi-Disabled in Hampton, will have to decide whether to send
their children hours away to the state's only other facility in Stauton"

I checked out the Internet to find out more accurate information on the current status
of the VSDB and Hampton Roads School for the D/B/MD. The latest information comes from the Office of Governor Kaines of Virginia in 2006 about Kaines' proposal for the renovation of the VSDB buildings and continuted funding to the VSDB in Stauton and create the regional program in Hampton Roads within his budget request.

Another information said that the state school board put off the votes for the new site of the
VSDB.

Any accurate and latest information regarding the VSDB out there? I always feel connected to the VSDB whenever I go there. The VSDB have a lot of history.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)