Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Next week, 12/17/24 @ 6 p.m., the Mathews School Board will be receiving comments regarding property usage of a day-care center for toddlers and preschool children housed within the same Mathews County school facilities from early morning until 6 p.m.

The actual buildings are in varying levels of disrepair and facing School Board reassessments in January 2025, along with consolidation considerations. Added usage and extended hours will further increase maintenance and liability.

Because the “wee-ones” are prone to many more personal needs, accidents, illnesses, and other unexpected issues, guarding their safety becomes an even more serious consideration as well as an increased potential for lawsuits, holding both the county facility and Board responsible, even if eventually proven not to be.

Then there is the added consideration of the school-age siblings attending the school when “after school care” is also required for them? Do they get to stay within the building until 6 p.m.? Will that possibility be pursued? Who is responsible for them? Who decides this? Who is on staff for them and who is accountable if accidents and injuries happen during after school hours?

There can be no sufficient control over facility usage when, at the same time, one group must follow specific restrictive requirements, and the second group must follow equally restrictive, albeit different, requirements. Who determines what and when? Who, ultimately, will be legally responsible for the wee-ones’ instruction, protection and cost: the state, county taxpayers, parents or others? In my opinion this is a bad idea and should receive a veto. What do you think?

Ruth Litschewski
Onemo, Va.