I am in agreement with many over having a 5 year plan, along with reinstating the DOE's funding for the local gifted programs.  Our county has already lost money from the state because of our Composite Index. We have about 70% of our student body on free and reduced lunches.  I know what will happen to our gifted program if money is not specifically allocated towards those children. Our gifted children are deserving of a challenging education that will continue to help prepare them to be our leaders tomorrow. They will not have problems passing SOL standards, but they need to have opportunities to "think outside the box", to rise to challenges above and beyond SOLs, to extend and explore content and areas that enhance their leadership abilities, and to receive a public education that suits their needs like we do for the rest of our student population.