She urged parents and community members to contact their legislators currently working on the state budget in the General Assembly. More money for K-12 education from the state would help her avoid finding another $1 million to cut out of the school district's budget that currently totals $19 million.

"There is time to talk to folks in Richmond who are making those decisions," Parish said.

Parish gave a budget overview before she and the Poquoson School Board took questions, comments and suggested budget cuts from those in attendance.

NASA Langley Director Lesa Roe told Poquoson Mayor Gene Hunt about the change Tuesday, said NASA Langley spokesman Rob Wyman. Starting Jan. 30 the back gate will be open to incoming traffic again from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The process of assessing the situation has been ongoing, Wyman said Tuesday.

"The gate will be open at lunch time on a trial basis for three months while we continue to assess the feasibility of whether we can continue to do so permanently," Wyman said.

Poquoson Business Alliance President Cathie Abell-Nelson said Poquoson shop owners are glad.

Robert Brown & Associates is developing the Whitehouse Cove project that includes a marina, restaurant and manufactured-home community at the end of Rens Road at what used to be called Poquoson Marina.

Boat slips will be ready for occupancy by the end of January and the new Surf Rider restaurant should be built by March and completely open by May, said developer Brad Brown.

Roger Livingston urged City Council to consider a number of safety measures to improve the intersection of Poquoson Avenue, Little Florida Road and Laydon Way, including lengthening the 25 mph school zone speed limit, extending a sidewalk on the eastbound side of Poquoson Avenue to the intersection and installing a visible crosswalk. There currently is no crosswalk and the sidewalk ends before the intersection.

Members of City Council supported the idea of taking additional safety measures at the intersection. Eastern Precinct Councilman Herbert Green Jr. asked City Manager Randy Wheeler to get more information on the costs and efforts it would take to extend the sidewalk and add a crosswalk.

Livingston urged City Council to act quickly.

Wheeler said the city is facing a preliminary estimated revenue gap of $2 million while the Poquoson school division is facing $1 million in state funding cuts.

Wheeler offered several suggestions on how to deal with the shortfall of funds, including restructuring the city's debt, increasing fees for services and non-program expenditure reductions. Raising general property taxes and reducing municipal services were also possibilities, but Wheeler called them "last-resort options."

No one spoke Monday during public hearings on the 2013 budget and the city's Capital Improvements Plan budget for 2013-2017. The five-year plan includes $40.6 million in projects, with only $1.6 million for projects in 2013.

The academy, a 43-hour course, is open to all citizens who live or work in York County or the City of Poquoson. Applicants must be at least 21-years-old and pass a background check. There is no charge for enrollment.

The course is designed to teach citizens about the workings of both the sheriff's office as well as the criminal justice system. The academy will feature 12 three-hour classes covering various topics such as 911 communications, criminal law, investigations and policies and procedures. Law enforcement officials and guest speakers will teach the course.

The academy will run March 19-June 11, 2012, meeting mainly on Monday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. Participation in 10 to 12 seassions is required to complete and receive a Certification of Graduation.