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and driver to take us there and back for the day, plus the participation fee of ten dollars per student.”
    “And how many students are we talking about?” Al asked.
    “I have twenty who’d be eligible to attend, but I think about twelve would actually go, plus adult sponsors.”
    “So, $120, plus salary for a driver for the day, plus the gas for the bus...” Stephanie looked thoughtful.
    “I don’t think the school board should spend money on extracurricular activities that benefit only a handful of students in these dire economic times.”
    Josh didn’t have to turn around to know who spoke.
    “Mr. Southerland, you need to request to be recognized by the board before you speak,” Al said.
    “I apologize.” Rick rose and stood, gripping the back of the chair in front of him. “May I speak?”
    “The chair recognizes Rick Southerland,” Al said.
    “I think it sets a bad precedent for the board to fund trips like this science bee at a time when you’ve been forced to lay off personnel,” Rick said. “Today it’s a science bee. Tomorrow it’s a spelling bee or a debate tournament or a trip to a museum.”
    “Those are all educational enrichment activities,” Stephanie said.
    “Yes, but they’re also expensive,” Rick said. “And we can’t afford expensive.” He glanced at Josh. “People come here from the city with big ideas about what our kids need, but what they really need is the good education we can give them right here.”
    Josh wondered if Rick was planning a run for school board next election; he sounded just like a politician delivering a campaign speech.
    “I’m not from the city,” Josh pointed out. “I grew up here in Hartland.”
    “And do you think that entitles you to some special favoritism?” Rick sneered. “Or don’t we all already know the answer to that question?”
    Josh groaned. “I don’t think—”
    “He makes a good point.” Roger sat back in his chair. “Not the local thing—I don’t care about that. But I don’t think this is a good use of our funds. If the kids want to go to the science bee, their parents can pay the ten dollars and they can carpool there.”
    Murmurs of agreement circulated around the table and a few seconds later Josh sat down, his request for funds denied and the meeting adjourned.
    Had Rick come here tonight specifically to shoot down Josh’s proposal? Josh hadn’t seen his fellow teacher walk into the room, but maybe he’d been too focused on Amy to notice anything else. And speaking of Amy, what would she make of all this? Would she say he’d played up his status as a local to ask for special favors from the board? That was ridiculous, but no more ridiculous than her assertion that the baseball team’s winning record was all due to luck, or that he’d gotten his job solely because he was a veteran.
    He needed to talk to Amy and set the record straight before another wild story made it into the paper. But before Josh could reach Amy, Erica waylaid him. “That was a wonderful idea you had about the water collection and all,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to working with you on this project. I was thinking maybe we could apply for some grants and—”
    “Uh-huh.” Josh watched as Amy walked out the door. “Maybe we could talk later,” he said to Erica. “I have something I need to do right now.”
    He stepped into the hallway and looked around. Amy moved away from the two women she’d been talking with and came toward him. “What is your reaction to the school board’s denying your request for the money to attend the science bee?” she asked.
    She was in full reporter mode, mini recorder in hand. “Hello, Amy,” he said. “How are you this evening?”
    Her cheeks flushed pink. “I’m fine, Josh. In a little hurry to make the paper’s deadline. Are you upset the school board denied your request for funds?”
    He chose his words carefully, all the while watching her, trying to gauge her reaction.