Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I can't believe I just read all of this. This is... a lot.

The idea that the school board/school system is somehow responsible for easing the financial burden of child care costs (or the costs of ANYTHING outside of school is ludicrous. Your child is your financial responsibility. It's called being a parent. The fact that needs to be explained to people who are currently parents is incredibly sad.

For what it's worth, the Virginia Department of Education has a Child Care Subsidy Program. Explain your circumstance and try applying.

Here is the link for those who actually need it: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/families/paying-for-child-care

I truly feel bad for the people struggling, but help/solutions are out there beyond hoping that the schoolboard will change the schedule on the sole basis that it financially helps families. Hope isn't a plan. But YOU do need a plan on how to financially be responsible for YOUR child.

The calendar is released well in advance. There are numerous changes YOU can make as a parent for YOUR child to better be able to handle the financial burden of increased childcare needs besides hoping for someone else to help YOU afford YOUR child.

Own? Move to a smaller house with less of a mortgage. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Rent? Move to a cheaper apartment. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Have a car payment? Sell it and buy a cheaper car. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Car paid off? Sell it and buy a used older car. Use the money you made off of your car sale to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat at home? Shop at cheaper grocery stores and buy in bulk. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat out? Eat out a few times less per month. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

These are just a few of MANY solutions/sacrifices that YOU as a parent should be willing to make to financially support YOUR child.

Are these difficult changes? Yes, and I'm sure there will be lots of arguments why they're preposterous ideas to some and how they shouldn't have to make them. But again, it's YOUR child and YOU should be willing to do anything to be able to financially provide the best YOU can.

The hard truth is, if it was that important of an issue or was really hurting your pockets that much, you would. But it's easier to anonymously complain on the internet, send some emails to your school board politicians, and rely on hope.

I'm so happy your husband can afford to pay your nanny.

My wife and I pay child care for three kids. Both work full time. I almost six figures pretax and my wife makes less than 50k pretax. We factor childcare expenses into our budget at the beginning of the school year and put that money in a separate account each paycheck. We utilize the school calendar to know what random days we’ll need extra care and factor in 11 days extra for each of the potential snow days. If we don’t have the snow days, we put the excess money towards our family vacation in the summer.

We’re not rich by any means for this area, but we make it work. Some years we have more money left over, some we have less. Some months we eat out more, some months we eat out less. We chose to have 3 kids and their wellbeing comes first. The last thing we’re going to do is consider them or their needs a financial burden. It’s just part of being their parents.

So what would you do with an extra $5000 this year?

Presumably, as good parents, it would go to help your kids, right?

What is it that an erratic calendar does that is worth $5000 to you?

An extra $5000? Currently we’d put it towards a low cost starter car for our oldest. She’ll be getting her license soon and it would help us all if she had her own vehicle to drive. She already has a job she’s been saving money at for insurance, gas, and property taxes, but having her able to drive there herself and help with her siblings needs would be beneficial to herself and the whole family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I can't believe I just read all of this. This is... a lot.

The idea that the school board/school system is somehow responsible for easing the financial burden of child care costs (or the costs of ANYTHING outside of school is ludicrous. Your child is your financial responsibility. It's called being a parent. The fact that needs to be explained to people who are currently parents is incredibly sad.

For what it's worth, the Virginia Department of Education has a Child Care Subsidy Program. Explain your circumstance and try applying.

Here is the link for those who actually need it: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/families/paying-for-child-care

I truly feel bad for the people struggling, but help/solutions are out there beyond hoping that the schoolboard will change the schedule on the sole basis that it financially helps families. Hope isn't a plan. But YOU do need a plan on how to financially be responsible for YOUR child.

The calendar is released well in advance. There are numerous changes YOU can make as a parent for YOUR child to better be able to handle the financial burden of increased childcare needs besides hoping for someone else to help YOU afford YOUR child.

Own? Move to a smaller house with less of a mortgage. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Rent? Move to a cheaper apartment. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Have a car payment? Sell it and buy a cheaper car. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Car paid off? Sell it and buy a used older car. Use the money you made off of your car sale to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat at home? Shop at cheaper grocery stores and buy in bulk. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat out? Eat out a few times less per month. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

These are just a few of MANY solutions/sacrifices that YOU as a parent should be willing to make to financially support YOUR child.

Are these difficult changes? Yes, and I'm sure there will be lots of arguments why they're preposterous ideas to some and how they shouldn't have to make them. But again, it's YOUR child and YOU should be willing to do anything to be able to financially provide the best YOU can.

The hard truth is, if it was that important of an issue or was really hurting your pockets that much, you would. But it's easier to anonymously complain on the internet, send some emails to your school board politicians, and rely on hope.

I'm so happy your husband can afford to pay your nanny.

My wife and I pay child care for three kids. Both work full time. I almost six figures pretax and my wife makes less than 50k pretax. We factor childcare expenses into our budget at the beginning of the school year and put that money in a separate account each paycheck. We utilize the school calendar to know what random days we’ll need extra care and factor in 11 days extra for each of the potential snow days. If we don’t have the snow days, we put the excess money towards our family vacation in the summer.

We’re not rich by any means for this area, but we make it work. Some years we have more money left over, some we have less. Some months we eat out more, some months we eat out less. We chose to have 3 kids and their wellbeing comes first. The last thing we’re going to do is consider them or their needs a financial burden. It’s just part of being their parents.

So what would you do with an extra $5000 this year?

Presumably, as good parents, it would go to help your kids, right?

What is it that an erratic calendar does that is worth $5000 to you?

Anonymous wrote:Other than people who just don’t seem to want to improve things, who is it that loses in a rational calendar year? Because for all the praise of “extra rest for high school students” I haven’t seen any advocacy for adding days off. Who are you all trying to save here?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I can't believe I just read all of this. This is... a lot.

The idea that the school board/school system is somehow responsible for easing the financial burden of child care costs (or the costs of ANYTHING outside of school is ludicrous. Your child is your financial responsibility. It's called being a parent. The fact that needs to be explained to people who are currently parents is incredibly sad.

For what it's worth, the Virginia Department of Education has a Child Care Subsidy Program. Explain your circumstance and try applying.

Here is the link for those who actually need it: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/families/paying-for-child-care

I truly feel bad for the people struggling, but help/solutions are out there beyond hoping that the schoolboard will change the schedule on the sole basis that it financially helps families. Hope isn't a plan. But YOU do need a plan on how to financially be responsible for YOUR child.

The calendar is released well in advance. There are numerous changes YOU can make as a parent for YOUR child to better be able to handle the financial burden of increased childcare needs besides hoping for someone else to help YOU afford YOUR child.

Own? Move to a smaller house with less of a mortgage. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Rent? Move to a cheaper apartment. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Have a car payment? Sell it and buy a cheaper car. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Car paid off? Sell it and buy a used older car. Use the money you made off of your car sale to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat at home? Shop at cheaper grocery stores and buy in bulk. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat out? Eat out a few times less per month. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

These are just a few of MANY solutions/sacrifices that YOU as a parent should be willing to make to financially support YOUR child.

Are these difficult changes? Yes, and I'm sure there will be lots of arguments why they're preposterous ideas to some and how they shouldn't have to make them. But again, it's YOUR child and YOU should be willing to do anything to be able to financially provide the best YOU can.

The hard truth is, if it was that important of an issue or was really hurting your pockets that much, you would. But it's easier to anonymously complain on the internet, send some emails to your school board politicians, and rely on hope.

I'm so happy your husband can afford to pay your nanny.

My wife and I pay child care for three kids. Both work full time. I almost six figures pretax and my wife makes less than 50k pretax. We factor childcare expenses into our budget at the beginning of the school year and put that money in a separate account each paycheck. We utilize the school calendar to know what random days we’ll need extra care and factor in 11 days extra for each of the potential snow days. If we don’t have the snow days, we put the excess money towards our family vacation in the summer.

We’re not rich by any means for this area, but we make it work. Some years we have more money left over, some we have less. Some months we eat out more, some months we eat out less. We chose to have 3 kids and their wellbeing comes first. The last thing we’re going to do is consider them or their needs a financial burden. It’s just part of being their parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I can't believe I just read all of this. This is... a lot.

The idea that the school board/school system is somehow responsible for easing the financial burden of child care costs (or the costs of ANYTHING outside of school is ludicrous. Your child is your financial responsibility. It's called being a parent. The fact that needs to be explained to people who are currently parents is incredibly sad.

For what it's worth, the Virginia Department of Education has a Child Care Subsidy Program. Explain your circumstance and try applying.

Here is the link for those who actually need it: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/families/paying-for-child-care

I truly feel bad for the people struggling, but help/solutions are out there beyond hoping that the schoolboard will change the schedule on the sole basis that it financially helps families. Hope isn't a plan. But YOU do need a plan on how to financially be responsible for YOUR child.

The calendar is released well in advance. There are numerous changes YOU can make as a parent for YOUR child to better be able to handle the financial burden of increased childcare needs besides hoping for someone else to help YOU afford YOUR child.

Own? Move to a smaller house with less of a mortgage. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Rent? Move to a cheaper apartment. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Have a car payment? Sell it and buy a cheaper car. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Car paid off? Sell it and buy a used older car. Use the money you made off of your car sale to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat at home? Shop at cheaper grocery stores and buy in bulk. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat out? Eat out a few times less per month. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

These are just a few of MANY solutions/sacrifices that YOU as a parent should be willing to make to financially support YOUR child.

Are these difficult changes? Yes, and I'm sure there will be lots of arguments why they're preposterous ideas to some and how they shouldn't have to make them. But again, it's YOUR child and YOU should be willing to do anything to be able to financially provide the best YOU can.

The hard truth is, if it was that important of an issue or was really hurting your pockets that much, you would. But it's easier to anonymously complain on the internet, send some emails to your school board politicians, and rely on hope.

You sound very out of touch. You know most people that are struggling have already done all of these things, right, sweetie? How much does your husband make again?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I can't believe I just read all of this. This is... a lot.

The idea that the school board/school system is somehow responsible for easing the financial burden of child care costs (or the costs of ANYTHING outside of school is ludicrous. Your child is your financial responsibility. It's called being a parent. The fact that needs to be explained to people who are currently parents is incredibly sad.

For what it's worth, the Virginia Department of Education has a Child Care Subsidy Program. Explain your circumstance and try applying.

Here is the link for those who actually need it: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/families/paying-for-child-care

I truly feel bad for the people struggling, but help/solutions are out there beyond hoping that the schoolboard will change the schedule on the sole basis that it financially helps families. Hope isn't a plan. But YOU do need a plan on how to financially be responsible for YOUR child.

The calendar is released well in advance. There are numerous changes YOU can make as a parent for YOUR child to better be able to handle the financial burden of increased childcare needs besides hoping for someone else to help YOU afford YOUR child.

Own? Move to a smaller house with less of a mortgage. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Rent? Move to a cheaper apartment. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Have a car payment? Sell it and buy a cheaper car. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Car paid off? Sell it and buy a used older car. Use the money you made off of your car sale to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat at home? Shop at cheaper grocery stores and buy in bulk. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat out? Eat out a few times less per month. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

These are just a few of MANY solutions/sacrifices that YOU as a parent should be willing to make to financially support YOUR child.

Are these difficult changes? Yes, and I'm sure there will be lots of arguments why they're preposterous ideas to some and how they shouldn't have to make them. But again, it's YOUR child and YOU should be willing to do anything to be able to financially provide the best YOU can.

The hard truth is, if it was that important of an issue or was really hurting your pockets that much, you would. But it's easier to anonymously complain on the internet, send some emails to your school board politicians, and rely on hope.

I'm so happy your husband can afford to pay your nanny.

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I can't believe I just read all of this. This is... a lot.

The idea that the school board/school system is somehow responsible for easing the financial burden of child care costs (or the costs of ANYTHING outside of school is ludicrous. Your child is your financial responsibility. It's called being a parent. The fact that needs to be explained to people who are currently parents is incredibly sad.

For what it's worth, the Virginia Department of Education has a Child Care Subsidy Program. Explain your circumstance and try applying.

Here is the link for those who actually need it: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/families/paying-for-child-care

I truly feel bad for the people struggling, but help/solutions are out there beyond hoping that the schoolboard will change the schedule on the sole basis that it financially helps families. Hope isn't a plan. But YOU do need a plan on how to financially be responsible for YOUR child.

The calendar is released well in advance. There are numerous changes YOU can make as a parent for YOUR child to better be able to handle the financial burden of increased childcare needs besides hoping for someone else to help YOU afford YOUR child.

Own? Move to a smaller house with less of a mortgage. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Rent? Move to a cheaper apartment. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Have a car payment? Sell it and buy a cheaper car. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Car paid off? Sell it and buy a used older car. Use the money you made off of your car sale to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat at home? Shop at cheaper grocery stores and buy in bulk. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat out? Eat out a few times less per month. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

These are just a few of MANY solutions/sacrifices that YOU as a parent should be willing to make to financially support YOUR child.

Are these difficult changes? Yes, and I'm sure there will be lots of arguments why they're preposterous ideas to some and how they shouldn't have to make them. But again, it's YOUR child and YOU should be willing to do anything to be able to financially provide the best YOU can.

The hard truth is, if it was that important of an issue or was really hurting your pockets that much, you would. But it's easier to anonymously complain on the internet, send some emails to your school board politicians, and rely on hope.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m old enough to remember the BC (Before Covid) era when the people screeching “YOUR child is YOUR responsibility!!!!!1” were all conservative Republicans. And they were using that argument to argue against expanded pre-K … because they don’t want big bad gub-mint involved with raising little kids!

Wow, so you're 6 years old? You definitely sound like a little kid.

Anonymous wrote:I’m old enough to remember the BC (Before Covid) era when the people screeching “YOUR child is YOUR responsibility!!!!!1” were all conservative Republicans. And they were using that argument to argue against expanded pre-K … because they don’t want big bad gub-mint involved with raising little kids!

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I can't believe I just read all of this. This is... a lot.

The idea that the school board/school system is somehow responsible for easing the financial burden of child care costs (or the costs of ANYTHING outside of school is ludicrous. Your child is your financial responsibility. It's called being a parent. The fact that needs to be explained to people who are currently parents is incredibly sad.

For what it's worth, the Virginia Department of Education has a Child Care Subsidy Program. Explain your circumstance and try applying.

Here is the link for those who actually need it: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/families/paying-for-child-care

I truly feel bad for the people struggling, but help/solutions are out there beyond hoping that the schoolboard will change the schedule on the sole basis that it financially helps families. Hope isn't a plan. But YOU do need a plan on how to financially be responsible for YOUR child.

The calendar is released well in advance. There are numerous changes YOU can make as a parent for YOUR child to better be able to handle the financial burden of increased childcare needs besides hoping for someone else to help YOU afford YOUR child.

Own? Move to a smaller house with less of a mortgage. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Rent? Move to a cheaper apartment. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Have a car payment? Sell it and buy a cheaper car. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Car paid off? Sell it and buy a used older car. Use the money you made off of your car sale to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat at home? Shop at cheaper grocery stores and buy in bulk. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat out? Eat out a few times less per month. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

These are just a few of MANY solutions/sacrifices that YOU as a parent should be willing to make to financially support YOUR child.

Are these difficult changes? Yes, and I'm sure there will be lots of arguments why they're preposterous ideas to some and how they shouldn't have to make them. But again, it's YOUR child and YOU should be willing to do anything to be able to financially provide the best YOU can.

The hard truth is, if it was that important of an issue or was really hurting your pockets that much, you would. But it's easier to anonymously complain on the internet, send some emails to your school board politicians, and rely on hope.

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

Anonymous wrote:There is no requirement to make public school as expensive as possible. There is however, virtue in publicly elected officials showing concern and compassion for people in their community. Yes that includes kitchen table issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I can't believe I just read all of this. This is... a lot.

The idea that the school board/school system is somehow responsible for easing the financial burden of child care costs (or the costs of ANYTHING outside of school is ludicrous. Your child is your financial responsibility. It's called being a parent. The fact that needs to be explained to people who are currently parents is incredibly sad.

For what it's worth, the Virginia Department of Education has a Child Care Subsidy Program. Explain your circumstance and try applying.

Here is the link for those who actually need it: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/families/paying-for-child-care

I truly feel bad for the people struggling, but help/solutions are out there beyond hoping that the schoolboard will change the schedule on the sole basis that it financially helps families. Hope isn't a plan. But YOU do need a plan on how to financially be responsible for YOUR child.

The calendar is released well in advance. There are numerous changes YOU can make as a parent for YOUR child to better be able to handle the financial burden of increased childcare needs besides hoping for someone else to help YOU afford YOUR child.

Own? Move to a smaller house with less of a mortgage. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Rent? Move to a cheaper apartment. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Have a car payment? Sell it and buy a cheaper car. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Car paid off? Sell it and buy a used older car. Use the money you made off of your car sale to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat at home? Shop at cheaper grocery stores and buy in bulk. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

Eat out? Eat out a few times less per month. Use the savings to offset the increased childcare costs.

These are just a few of MANY solutions/sacrifices that YOU as a parent should be willing to make to financially support YOUR child.

Are these difficult changes? Yes, and I'm sure there will be lots of arguments why they're preposterous ideas to some and how they shouldn't have to make them. But again, it's YOUR child and YOU should be willing to do anything to be able to financially provide the best YOU can.

The hard truth is, if it was that important of an issue or was really hurting your pockets that much, you would. But it's easier to anonymously complain on the internet, send some emails to your school board politicians, and rely on hope.

Members of the school board seemed to disagree with you. Why do you think that is?