BY JOE CHANDLER
With the exception of high dropout rates and low numbers in physical education scores, the county school system received generally good marks in the Virginia Department of Education's Outcome Accountability Project Report.
Released yesterday, the OAP report for the 1996-97 school year showed that for the most part, Halifax County's numbers remained within a couple of points of the previous year's marks, indicating that overall student educational performance has remained stable.
"Overall, I'd say it was generally a good report for Halifax County," said school superintendent Dennis Witt.
"In terms of our student attendance and performance we're not too far from the middle of the pack in a number of areas. We feel pretty good about it."
One major note for this year's OAP report is that with the 1996-97 school year, the school year targeted by the 1998 report, school systems across the state made a switch in the state standardized tests, moving from the Iowa Test of Basic Skills to the Stanford 9 series.
As a result, there is no fair basis on which to compare the students' 1996-97 Stanford 9 test scores with their standardized test scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills from previous years.
"The test scores reflected in this report are not too bad," Witt said.
"We're probably in the lower half (in the state) but we're okay considering where we are in our demographics and other situations. Our overall performance is pretty solid. But, we're continuing to look for ways to improve. We'll take the information this report gives us and try to identify the areas that we need to improve and develop strategies to help improve these areas."
Halifax County's dropout rate, which is near the highest in the state, was reflected in the report that showed that 12 percent of the county's students in grades 9-12 dropped out, an increase of two percent from the previous year.
Also, the report showed that 13 percent of Halifax County's minority students in grades 9-12 dropped out during the 1996-97 school year, an increase of three percent from the previous year.
Looking at a little broader picture, eight percent of Halifax County's students in grades 7-12 dropped out which was a one percent increase. And, nine percent of Halifax County's minority students in grades 7-12 dropped out, an increase of two percent from the previous year.
"We are very much aware of our dropout rate," Witt said.
"It's an area that we're focusing on."
Witt pointed out that the proposed 1998-99 school budget contains funding to hire a Truancy/Dropout Coordinator to work with at risk students and to investigate ways in which the school system can turn the tide on its rising dropout rate.
In the area of Physical Education, the county school system's figures, like the overall state figures, remained low.
Only 33 percent of the local fourth and fifth grade students passed all four of the Spring physical fitness tests. That number was identical to the county's figure for the two previous years but was just four percent lower than the overall state figure.
Another side note is that several adjoining school divisions including Charlotte County, Danville, Lynchburg, Mecklenburg County, and Pittsylvania County all had figures lower than Halifax County's numbers.
The report stated that only 14 percent of Halifax County's sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who took the four Spring physical fitness tests passed all four tests. That was a drop of two percent from the previous year and a mark that was 17 percent lower than the state's low overall mark of 31 percent.
Halifax County's mark there was the lowest among neighboring school divisions.
Also, 37 percent of Halifax County's ninth and tenth grade students passed the four physical fitness tests, a mark that was well up from the 30 percent figure of the previous year and a mark that was higher than the overall state figure of 27 percent.
"I think that (the low physical fitness scores) are a general problem for our whole society," Witt pointed out.
"It involves the inactivity of young people because of television and electronic games, and those sort of things that don't require a good deal of physical activity."
Witt said that the OAP report "is a very general kind of report. They're trend kinds of things as opposed to specific evaluations."
"It gives you trends for your school system," added Witt.
"It gives you a feel for how you're doing overall by looking at trends. That's what we use it for. It's another picture for us to look at."
Following is an abbreviated look at the local figures.
GENERAL HALIFAX COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS:
- STUDENTS SPEAKING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE - 0
- ACCORDING TO THE 1990 U.S. CENSUS, 52% OF HALIFAX COUNTY'S ADULTS HOLD A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
- 1995 MEDIAN ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME FOR HALIFAX COUNTY - $18,531
- PERCENT OF STUDENTS WITH APPROVED APPLICATIONS FOR FREE OR REDUCED PRICE SCHOOL LUNCHES IN 1996-97 - 45%
- PERCENT OF FAMILIES LIVING BELOW THE STATE POVERTY LEVEL - 14%
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1996-97 OAP REPORT:
1. PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE
- PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EARNING ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA - Halifax County 31% which is in line with the 31 and 30 percent figures of the two preceding years. Halifax County's number is the lowest among neighboring school systems which have numbers ranging from 37 in Mecklenburg County to a high of 53 in Lynchburg. State figure is 50.
- MINORITY STUDENTS EARNING ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA - Halifax County 20%- which is down from 23% the previous year. The local number is the lowest among area school divisions whose numbers range from 25% in Mecklenburg County to 37 % in Campbell County. The state figure is 40%.
- PERCENT OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS TAKING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE PRIOR TO THE 9TH GRADE - Halifax County 27% - which is up from the 26% figure of the previous year. Other than Pittsylvania County which had 20%, the county figure was lowest among neighboring school divisions. The state figure is 39%.
- PERCENT OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS TAKING ALGEBRA I OR ALGEBRA I PART I PRIOR TO THE 9TH GRADE - Halifax County was 13% which is down from the 14% figure the previous year. That mark is lowest among neighboring school systems whose numbers ranged from 22% in Pittsylvania County to a high of 53% for Charlotte County. The state figure is 32%.
- PERCENT OF 11TH AND 12TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO TOOK AT LEAST ONE ADVANCED PLACEMENT OR COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE WHILE IN GRADES 9-12 - Halifax County was 49% which was down sharply from the 64% figure of 1995-96. The local figure was still the highest among neighboring school systems and the overall state figure of 25%.
- PERCENT OF 11TH AND 12TH GRADE STUDENTS TAKING ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES WHO SCORED 3 OR MORE ON AT LEAST 1 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEST - Halifax County was at 46% which was a slight drop from 47 percent the previous year. Danville which had 65%, led neighboring school systems with the local score being second best and better than the state average of 45%.
- PERCENT OF 11TH GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE SCORES WERE ABOVE THE 75TH PERCENTILE ON THE STANFORD 9 STATE ASSESSMENT TESTS - Halifax County 15%, which put the county on the low end in comparison with neighboring school systems whose scores ranged from a low of 14% for Pittsylvania County to a high of 25% for Campbell County. The state figure is 26%.
- PERCENT OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WO SCORED ABOVE THE 75TH PERCENTILE ON THE STANFORD 9 STATE ASSESSMENT TESTS - Halifax County 20%, which put the locality in the upper half of figures among neighboring localities. The figures ranged from a low of 10% in Danville to a high of 28% for Charlotte County. The state figure was 27%.
2. PREPARING STUDENTS FOR WORK
- PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WITH NO CONTINUING EDUCATION PLANS WHO COMPLETED A VOCATIONAL PROGRAM IN HIGH SCHOOL - Halifax County 36% which was down from the previous year's mark of 55%. Only Danville with 31% was lower than the county. Most neighboring localities were in the 60 to 70 percent range. the state figure was 65%.
- PERCENT OF 11TH GARDE STUDENTS WHOSE TOTAL READING SCORE WAS ABOVE THE 25TH PERCENTILE ON THE STANFORD 9 TEST - Halifax County 71% which compared favorably among neighboring school systems. The state figure was 65%.
- PERCENT OF 11TH GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE MATH SCORES WERE ABOVE THE 25TH PERCENTILE ON THE STANFORD 9 TEST - Halifax County 58% which put it in the middle among neighboring school systems. The state figure was 70%.
- PERCENT OF 12TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED A CLASS THAT INCLUDED KEYBOARDING OR TYPING SKILLS - Halifax County 67% which was down from the previous year's figure of 79%. However, the county was still in the upper half of the figures reached by neighboring school systems. The state average was 78%.
3. INCREASING THE GRADUATION RATE
- PERCENT OF 6TH GRADERS WHO PASSED ALL 3 LITERACY PASSPORT TESTS - Halifax County 64% down from 65% the previous year. However the county figure was the second highest among neighboring localities and was close to the state figure of 68%.
- PERCENT OF STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-12 WHO DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL - Halifax County 8% which was up from 7% the previous year. It tied Danville for having the highest percentage. Most neighboring localities ranged from 2% to 5%. The state figure is 3%.
- PERCENT OF MINORITY STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-12 WHO DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL - Halifax County 9% which was up from 7% the previous year. The county has the highest rate among neighboring localities. The state figure is 5%.
- PERCENT OF STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12 ABSENT 10 DAYS OR LESS - Halifax County 65% which was down from the previous year's number of 72%. However, the county figure was well in line with neighboring school systems. The state figure was 72%.
- PERCENT OF 3RD GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE PARTIAL BATTERY SCORE WAS ABOVE THE 25TH PERCENTILE ON THE STANFORD 9 STATE ASSESSMENT TEST - Halifax County 78% which is right in the ballpark with neighboring school systems. The state figure was 84%.
- PERCENT OF 5TH GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE PARTIAL BATTERY SCORE WAS ABOVE THE 25TH PERCENTILE ON THE STANFORD 9 TEST - Halifax County 85% which tied Campbell County for the third highest figure among neighboring localities. The state figure was 87%.
- PERCENT OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE PARTIAL BATTERY SCORE WAS ABOVE THE 25TH PERCENTILE ON THE STANFORD 9 TEST - Halifax County 84% which tied the state figure and put the county third among figures from neighboring school systems.
- PERCENT OF OVER AGE 4TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO ARE 11 OR MORE YEARS OF AGE - Halifax County 3% which puts the county well in line with its neighbors. The state figure is 2%.
-PERCENT OF OVER AGE 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO ARE 15 OR MORE YEARS OF AGE - Halifax County 6% which is down from its 8% figure the previous year. The local figure is right in the middle when compared to neighboring school systems. The state figure is 6%.
4. INCREASING SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS' LIVING SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- PERCENT OF SPECIAL ED STUDENTS ABSENT 10 DAYS OR LESS - Halifax County 39% which was down from 52% the previous year. With the exception of Campbell County and Lynchburg which had higher marks, the county compared well with its neighbors.
- PERCENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-12 WHO DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL - Halifax County 5% which was a slight improvement from the 6% figure of the previous year. The local figure was on the high end of the figures recorded from neighboring school systems. The state figure was 4%.
- PERCENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OR EXITING STUDENTS WHO EARNED THE REGULAR OR ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA - Halifax County 63% which is down from the 64% figure of the previous year and the 77% mark from the 1993-94 school year. With the exception of Campbell County and Lynchburg which had figures in the 90 percent range, the county's mark compared well with its neighbors. The state figure was 72%.
- PERCENT OF 6TH GRADE SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS THAT PASSED ALL 3 LITERACY PASSPORT TESTS - Halifax County 9% which was a drop from the 22% figure in 1995-96. Other than Mecklenburg which recorded 0%, the county figure was the lowest among neighboring school systems. The state figure was 29%.
- PERCENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS AGED 15-21 WHO PARTICIPATED IN PAID OR NON-PAID WORK EXPERIENCE WHICH INCLUDED FORMAL TRAINING AND OR SUPERVISION - Halifax County 1% which was the worst mark as compared to neighboring school systems. The state figure was 23%.
- PERCENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12 WHO PARTICIPATED IN AT LEAST 1 SCHOOL SPONSORED CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY WITH NON-DISABLED PEERS - Halifax County 39% which was down from the mark of 50% the previous year. With the exception of Danville which had 31%, the county mark was the lowest among neighboring school divisions. The state figure was 58%.
5. EDUCATING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
- PERCENT OF 3RD GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE PARTIAL BATTERY SCORE WAS ABOVE THE 50TH PERCENTILE ON THE STANFORD 9 STATE TEST - Halifax County 50%, Campbell Co. 56%, Charlotte Co. 72%, Danville 39%, Lynchburg 52%, Mecklenburg County 47%, Pittsylvania Co. 45%, State 58%.
- PERCENT OF 5TH GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE PARTIAL BATTERY SCORE WAS ABOVE THE 50TH PERCENTILE ON THE STANFORD 9 STATE TEST - Halifax County 54%, Campbell 54%, Charlotte Co. 75%, Danville 38%, Lynchburg 55%, Mecklenburg Co. 48%, Pittsylvania Co. 51%. State 62%.
- PERCENT OF STUDENTS IN GRADES K-5 WHO WERE ABSENT 10 DAYS OR LESS - Halifax County 75% which was down from the 82% figure of 1995-96. However, the local figure was among the best in comparison to neighboring school systems.
- PERCENT OF OVER AGE 4TH GRADERS - Halifax County 3% (See Previous Comments)
- OVER AGE MINORITY 4TH GRADERS WHO ARE 11 OR MORE YEARS OF AGE - Halifax County 4% which is the same as the previous year. The local figure is in line with figures posted by neighboring school systems. The state figure is 4%.
- PERCENT OF 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS WHO PASSED ALL 4 SPRING PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS - Halifax County 33% which is the same mark as the two previous years. The local figure is in line with those of neighboring school systems. The state figure is 37%.
6. EDUCATING MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
- PERCENT OF STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-8 WHO WERE ABSENT 10 DAYS OR LESS - Halifax County 64% which was down from the 69% figure the previous year. However, the local mark compared well with those of neighboring school systems. The state figure was 72%.
- PERCENT OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS TAKING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE PRIOR TO THE 9TH GRADE - Halifax County 27% (See Previous Notes)
- PERCENT OF MINORITY 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO TOOK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE PRIOR TO THE 9TH GRADE - Halifax County 16% which is up from 14% the previous year. With the exception of Pittsylvania County's mark of 13%, the local figure was lowest among neighboring school systems. The state figure is 31%.
- PERCENT OF MINORITY 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO TOOK ALGEBRA I OR ALGEBRA I PART I PRIOR TO THE 9TH GRADE - Halifax County 8% which was up from the 7% percent mark the previous year. The local mark tied Pittsylvania County for the lowest mark among neighboring school systems. The state figure is 21%.
- PERCENT OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE PARTIAL BATTERY SCORE ON THE STANFORD 9 STATE ASSESSMENT TEST WAS ABOVE THE 75TH PERCENTILE - Halifax County 20% (See Previous Notes)
- PERCENT OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE PARTIAL BATTERY SCORES ON THE STANFORD 9 STATE ASSESSMENT TEST WAS ABOVE THE 50TH PERCENTILE - Halifax County 50%, Campbell Co. 60%, Charlotte Co. 65%, Danville 29%, Lynchburg 53%, Mecklenburg Co. 37%, Pittsylvania Co. 47%, State 57%.
- PERCENT OF 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO PASSED ALL 4 SPRING PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS - Halifax County 14% which was down from the mark of 16% the previous year. It tied Danville and Pittsylvania County for having the lowest marks among neighboring school systems. The state figure was 31%.
7. EDUCATING SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
- PERCENT OF 11TH GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE BASIC BATTERY SCORE ON THE STANFORD 9 STATE ASSESSMENT TEST WAS ABOVE THE 75TH PERCENTILE - Halifax County 15% (See Previous Notes)
- PERCENT OF 11TH GRADE STUDENTS WHOSE BASIC BATTERY SCORE ON THE STANFORD 9 STATE ASSESSMENT TEST WAS ABOVE THE 50TH PERCENTILE - Halifax County 42% (See Previous Notes)
- PERCENT OF STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12 WHO WERE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL 10 DAYS OR LESS - Halifax County 54% which was down from the 58% mark of 1995-96. That mark is the second highest figure for the county over the past seven years. The local figure is in line with those of neighboring school systems. The state figure is 66%.
- PERCENT OF MINORITY STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12 WHO DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL - Halifax County 13% which is up from the previous year but below the 15% mark set in 1994-95. The county mark has been no lower than 10% since the 1991-92 school year. It is the highest mark among neighboring school systems.
- PERCENT OF 9TH AND 10TH GRADERS WHO PASSED ALL 4 SPRING PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS - Halifax County 37% which is up from the 30% mark from the previous year. It is the county's third best mark in the past seven years and is tops among neighboring school systems. The state figure is 27%.
BY JOE CHANDLER
School system officials are asking the Board of Supervisors to increase local funding by two percent over the current year to fund its proposed $39.9 million 1998-99 school budget.
But, it appears that the school system will receive little, if any, increase in local money next year.
County Administrator Dan Sleeper said that the total local increase for the county budget currently stands at 1.25 percent and that he anticipates that the local funding increase for the county schools next year will be about half of that or around .5 of one percent.
"We told them two months ago five tenths of one percent," Sleeper said Tuesday night following a joint work session of the Board of Supervisors and the county school board.
"They knew we were serious."
While Sleeper tossed out the one half of one percent figure, he pointed out that the figure was not set in stone.
"We really don't know what the increase, if any, will be," Sleeper said noting that the Board of Supervisors has not acted on the amount of local funds it will place into the school system coffers next year.
"It all depends on what the Board wants to put into the schools."
The $39,960,301 budget proposal that school trustees and the Board of Supervisors reviewed Tuesday night was a revision of a proposed package which was unveiled by school system officials during a March 16 school board budget work session.
The revision, based upon the addition of three new budget initiatives and an increase in state funds coming to the locality, upped the total proposed budget almost $200,000 from its original figure of $39,787,465.
The initial proposal represented a 4.35 percent increase over this year's budget. This revision to $39,960,301 represents a 4.81 percent increase over the current budget.
Under the school system's proposed budget, it will take $9,917,588 in local dollars, an increase of $194,462 over the current year, to fund the proposed budget. That was the same figure used in the original budget proposal.
The current year's school budget total is $38,127,845.
School system finance director Bill Covington pointed out that the changes in the budget resulted primarily from the fact that the county school system will be receiving more state revenues than had been originally projected.
It was just last Friday that the school system was informed of the exact amount of state revenues that it will be receiving next year. Those figures were not available at the initial school board budget work session as the state's General Assembly was still in session and budget debates were still underway.
School system officials used low end estimates in projecting an increase of $1,475,158 in state funds that coming to the locality.
The latest figures show that the school system will actually receive an increase of $1,647,994 in state funds.
Three new budget initiatives not included in the budget package that was presented to the school board at its March 16 budget work session were included in the budget package handed to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday night.
One of them was to add a position for a fulltime school nurse to serve Halifax County High School and Halifax County Middle School. Covington pointed out that among the additional state revenues that were coming in, the state was providing $16,171 for the employment of a school nurse.
"The state is giving us that much money for that (initiative)," Covington said, "but we don't know what it is actually going to cost until we go out into the marketplace and try to hire a nurse. Any money that it will take beyond that will have to come from our local money."
County school superintendent Dennis Witt explained to the Board of Supervisors that there are currently no school nurses in the school system and that school board members had expressed an interest in examining the possibility of employing a nurse for the high school and middle school.
"We feel we need and could use a school nurse at Halifax County High School and that between Halifax County High School and Halifax County Middle School we could keep a nurse busy," Witt stated.
The second new initiative in the budget proposal was the hiring of a Truancy/Dropout Coordinator. Covington said that the state was making $26,750 available for that position.
Witt told the supervisors that Halifax County's dropout rate for grades 9-12 was 12 percent and that the dropout rate for grades 7-12 was eight percent, figures which were entirely too high.
"Something is wrong," Witt said.
"There is no excuse for that. We need to address the problem."
Witt explained that the Truancy/Dropout Coordinator would work closely with at risk students, try to follow up on students that drop out, find the reasons why they drop out of school, and attempt to work with those individuals in an attempt to get them back into school.
Board of Supervisors member Joe Satterfield noted that he was glad to hear that the school system is attempting to address the dropout problem. Satterfield also said "one of the top five questions industrial prospects ask you is about your dropout rate."
Third on the list of new school budget initiatives was the hiring of a computer technician to handle the necessary work that the school system needs to have done for its continuing technology program.
That position, Covington said, will have to be funded out of local monies.
Witt explained that there is a real need for a computer technician in the school system to help the school system move forward with its technology program.
"Our goal is to have three computers in every classroom," Witt said, "and have every classroom connected to every other school and to this office and to a network larger than Halifax County to give us access to access academia. We need to get there as quick as we can."
Another move that increased the proposed school budget package was increasing the amount of local dollars in the school system's technology program.
Last year the state gave the school system $425,000 for technology. However, there is no state money coming forth for that area this year.
In the initial budget proposal, school system officials had put $250,000 in local money into that category. The new figure unveiled Tuesday night increased that amount to $311,422.
Other major budget initiatives that school system officials outlined in the school board's March 16 budget work session remained the same including a proposed 4.2 percent average raise for teachers that will raise the salary of beginning teachers and a four percent average increase for all other categories of school system employees.
Other major budget initiatives include:
- Increase the school board's contribution toward the individual employee's group health insurance premiums from $143 a month to $150 a month;
- Increase the supplement paid to teachers and administrators holding a Master's Degree from $1,810 a year to $1,900;
- Add three secondary teachers at Halifax County High School;
- Add five Special Education teachers on the elementary level;
- Add four Elementary Aides, primarily for Special Education;
- Increase funding for Professional Development by $34,200 to increase teacher training for SOL testing, technology training, and block scheduling implementation;
- Increase the number of school buses to be replaced from eight to nine in order to keep within the 12 year replacement cycle for school buses;
- Increase Contracted Maintenance category by $75,000 for architectural study of school facilities;
- Increase the Replace Equipment category by $30,000 with money to be used primarily for replacing and maintaining copiers.
Board of Supervisors member Garland Ricketts asked Witt about the school system's energy savings and energy management program.
"We have saved a considerable amount of money in our energy initiative," Witt pointed out.
He explained that the school system had contracted with an energy management company for four years but ended the contract after two years.
"We felt we could manage it with our own personnel," explained the school superintendent.
"We felt that we had learned 90 percent of what we needed to learn. Our energy costs are down. Part of the Trigon money will be used to put a digital control system at Halifax County High School so we can zone the heating and cooling in the building. That will save us a ton of money."
Witt said that predictions are that the digital control system will save the school system $50,000 in energy costs once it is installed. The projected payback period in terms of energy savings is estimated to be 28 months.
The school superintendent also pointed out that lighting retrofits have been conducted at the middle school, a move that will also help save the school system in energy costs.
Supervisor Paige Wilkerson stated that an economist he had heard stated that Halifax County leads the state in the percentage of adults that do not have a high school diploma and asked Witt why that situation has occurred.
"That's a toughie," Witt said, pointing to the involvement of a number of factors.
"I think the real question is what can we do to change that?"
Witt said that a more aggressive approach will be taken to reach at risk students who are most at risk for dropping out of school. He also noted a need to reach people who have recently dropped out of school in an attempt to get them back into school.
School board vice chairman Carl Furches noted that one factor is "the court system is doing nothing in compulsory attendance. Alternative Ed may be the answer for some of these people. But, if they don't come to school they can't learn. Parents don't make them come and the courts cannot make them come. We're at a loss."
"We've got to get a better message out to students about education and what comes after in most of their lives," remarked Supervisor Robbie Smart.
Satterfield pointed out that it seemed that the 20 percent of the children who are high achievers and participate in the Talented and Gifted Program and attend Governor's School and the 20 percent of the students that are Special Education are well taken care of while the 60 percent of students in the middle are seemingly shortchanged.
"I don't think that middle group is cheated," Witt said.
"They are the ones that are going to have 20 to 23 in a class or 25 in a class at the high school. I think the opportunities for that 60 percent in the middle are there."
Furches added that he would like to see a greater emphasis placed on Vocational Education and that he wishes to see greater numbers of students involved in Vocational Education when the high school moves to block scheduling for the start of the 1998-99 school year.
"We're going to work closely withy business and industry and see what they think we need," Witt added.
"We're going to listen to those people."
School trustee Patricia Nelson added that "somewhere in the elementary and middle school we've got to convince kids to go into these vocational programs, go to technical schools that will help you get that technical job when you get out of high school. We have to convince many of the students in that 60 percent."
Slipping by not 15 feet away at one point, Carl and Bee Edmunds-Espy watched the pride of lions silently fan out in attack formation.
Feeding nearby, an unsuspecting topi was the pride's intended victim. But it was not to be. It was the topi's lucky day. Escape ...
The Espys' experienced driver was poised throughout for his own quick getaway should he and his passengers arouse the undue interest of the lions.
In Africa, the lion demands man's respect as well.
"Kenya is so much like it has always been," observed Bee. "The scenery is some of the most spectacular you will see in life. And the animals... I can't wait to go back."
A land of contrasts, Kenya was all the Halifax couple had hoped it would be. Two safaris - and three weeks later - they returned home with exquisite memories of a land forever the same yet awash in change, unable to escape the 20th century political and economic winds blowing across Africa.
Some, however, are fighting change. The Maasai tribesmen are among those who prefer the ancient ways.
Theirs is a pastoral culture, herding cattle, sheep and goats. "They believe all cattle on this earth belong to them, and will lead raids on neighboring tribes to 'steal' them back. No cow is safe," noted Bee.
At one of the Halifax couple's safari camps, five Maasai warriors shared their cultural traditions, including dance. "Their sounds and movements are totally from nature," recalled the Halifax woman. "And they do indeed drink blood and urine."
The couple also learned that becoming a warrior is the goal of every young man, a goal which includes many rituals - body ornamentation, circumcision, special treatment. And he must kill a lion.
"Warriors rule, consequently they are arrogant," added Bee, "But they share a great deal of camaraderie, laughter and singing."
The Maasai wear red, although the shade differs from region to region. The Espys learned there is a suspected influence from the Romans in North Africa since natives wear togas and the warrior's headdress is fashioned like a Roman helmet.
Bee also vividly recalled a Samburu woman she saw tending cattle in the distance during the couple's camel hiking safari.
"She must have been six feet ...and her head had been shaved. She wore a red toga, necklaces and carried a walking stick. And I think she was the most elegant woman I've ever seen."
During one safari the couple found themselves crossing an El Nino swollen river with natives who could not swim and with camels who were equally uneasy fording the river.
Indeed, El Nino's impact was not confined to Kenya's rivers. "It had its grip on eastern Africa," recalled Carl.
Although the couple arrived in Kenya last month in what is usually the dry season, it was not dry this year.
"It was supposed to be the high tourist season," explained Carl, "because when it is dry the grass is lower, the water scarce, and animals congregate at watering holes. The food source for the big carnivores is right there."
It is then tourists can witness the parade of exotic animals seeking water and, on occasion, preview Nature's ultimate contest, dramatic survival of the fittest combat.
Last month, however, the grass was "green and high," recalled Bee. "The topography resembled the American West, but much bigger."
In the Maasai Mara, a huge game preserve near the Tanzanian border, the two took the first of two Kenya safaris. It was there they watched the lion pride stalk its prey.
Sandwiched between the two safaris was a week spent with host and hostess, Torsten and Connie Kuenzlen. He is a German businessman based in Nairobi and Connie is an American citizen.
From the Kuenzlen's home in Niarobi, the four drove up the Rift Valley.
Distances in Kenya "are huge," advised Bee.
The couple also found that roads are not always good, that political unrest - with violence - has occurred following the December election and that services (including airlines) can be hours off schedule.
Those contemplating a trip should know the temperature in Kenya's interior ranged in the 70s and 80s with low humidity during the Espys' February tour. Along the coast the range was in the 90s with higher humidity.
"It is an incredibly beautiful country," said Carl, an amateur photographer who captured stunning photographs of Kenya's people, animals and landscape.
"And we found Kenya's natives peaceful and good and kind," added Bee.
For the Halifax couple it was a unique opportunity, a chance to steal a glimpse of old Kenya before its ancient customs fall to modern influences.
"It is incredible," added Carl, in what seemed a quiet, final benediction.
A $400,000 no interest loan for Halifax County industrial development was delivered yesterday by Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative President Worth Hudson.
Bill Confroy, executive director of the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County, accepted the $400,000 check.
The 10-year, no-interest loan carries a two year deferred principal payment clause.
The action by Mecklenburg Electric on behalf of industrial development here came even though Halifax County/South Boston Industrial Park is not in the cooperative's service area.
Mecklenburg Electric "is interested in economic development and providing jobs in Southside Virginia," M. "John" Bowman, executive vice president and general manager of the cooperative, said yesterday.
Mecklenburg Cooperative currently serves about 28,000 accounts in nine counties in south central Virginia, which includes sections of Halifax County.
The cooperative applied for the loan two years ago, according to Confroy.
Money was sought in relationship to the Dollar General Regional Distribution Center project here, to purchase land and for overhead costs associated with the development of the real estate and other administrative costs.
"Interim financing was obtained to cover those expenses," explained Confroy yesterday.
In operation a little over a year, Dollar General officials this month announced expansion plans which will increase the facility's size from 718,000 sq. ft, to 1,207,230 sq. ft.
The distribution center, located in the Halifax County/South Boston Industrial Park, currently employs about 500 people and is expected to eventually add 60 to 70 more employees, manager Ken Attaway said during the expansion announcement.
Mecklenburg Electric applied to the Rural Utility Service (formerly the Rural Electrification Administration) for the loan in March of 1996 with the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County listed as beneficiary.
Cooperative officials and Confroy recognized Joyce French, executive director of the Southside Planning District, Industrial Development coordinator Patsy Vaughan and Mecklenburg Electric's administrative services for their efforts in obtaining the loan.
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, a non-profit company owned by the members, was charted by the State Corporation Commission and gained its first REA loan in 1938 for $129,000 to build 136 miles of line and two substations to serve 436 members.
Even before service opened on that line, additional loans had been obtained for construction of lines in Charlotte, Pittsylvania and Halifax counties. Next loans were obtained for extensions into Brunswick and Lunenburg counties, and in 1940 into Greensville, Sussex and Southampton counties.
Since no public hearings were scheduled, Tuesday night's regular monthly meeting of the Halifax County Planning Commission should have been relatively uneventful.
Instead, a major concern arose which has quietly shadowed the political process of the recent countywide boundary adjustment and political consolidation issues.
The question - hotly-debated in an off-the-record basis - concerns the age-old question of who actually speaks for the voters: elected officials or members of an unelected "concerned citizens" group.
Fittingly, the issue finally erupted publicly from a person who is essentially a combination of both: planning commission member Ann Crabtree, who was not elected, but rather appointed to her position by the elected members of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
Crabtree, who represents Election District #8 (South Boston), voiced concern over who will actually "take charge" of public hearings that will be held for the state-mandated Five-Year Comprehensive Plan.
She cited recent political maneuverings by the "Association for Better Government," a group largely organized by local business leaders. They have spearheaded political efforts to seek a consolidation of government services, including police agencies, 911 communication networks, and water and sewer systems.
Such historic consolidations would essentially lead to redundant electoral jurisdictions, which in turn, could foster the de-chartering of towns, one side fears. That scenario would concentrate too much political power to one particular group, they contend.
Not consolidating the services would allow the continued existence of several layers of costly and unneeded bureaucracy, placing an increasing burden on already-overburdened taxpayers, the other side counters.
"In my opinion, they (Association for Better Government) need to back off a little bit," Crabtree told fellow planning commission members, while conceding that they have "every right" to state their views.
"There's too much push...the group is real, real forceful," she said. "I wouldn't want to see us cornered by either side."
Though no members of the group were present at Tuesday night's planning commission meeting, Crabtree referred to recent meetings of the board of supervisors and town councils in which the group forcefully pushed or attempted to push their agendas.
In one such recent meeting of the supervisors and the five town councils from throughout the county, an obvious crack developed within the ranks of the Halifax Town Council.
Long before the agenda's official "citizen input" period, some citizens verbally demanded that the elected officials immediately discuss the consolidation of water and sewer services.
Halifax Town Council member Jack Dunavant asked Halifax County Administrator Dan Sleeper to produce water and sewer documents so such discussions could begin.
Sleeper ordered Jerry Lovelace, Assistant County Administrator for Planning and Zoning, to retrieve the documents. However, Halifax Mayor Dennis Osborne and councilman Buddy Guthrie, an attorney, told Lovelace to "hold on" and that the council would not discuss the water and sewer issue that evening.
The only consolidation element that was officially on the agenda for that meeting was the 911 system, Osborne and Guthrie pointed out.
Any attempts or discussions to change the ownership status of the Town of Halifax's water treatment plant should carefully and procedurally take place with all documentation properly studied ahead of time, Osborne pointed out.
"This is a serious issue for all citizens of the Town of Halifax and not something to be done on a spur of the moment, just because of outside influences," Osborne later explained.
At that joint meeting, once the scheduled discussions finished between the supervisors and councils, members of the South Boston Town Council and the Halifax Town Council left. All except for Dunavant, who remained conspicuously alone at the table.
Such injected influence by non-elected citizens could hinder the overall fairness of political issues during the impending public hearings for the Five-Year Comprehensive Hearing, Crabtree reflected Tuesday night.
"I'm just concerned that they would get in here and run the show," she said.
Officials of Overman and Associates of Virginia Beach, which has been hired to conduct the Five-Year Comprehensive public hearings, stated that citizen input would be allowed according to proper, preannounced procedure.
For its part, the Association for Better Government has become indirectly involved in elected politics. They recently endorsed current South Boston Town Councilman Buddy Wilborn for reelection, as well as Ed Owen and Tom Raab, who are candidates for South Boston Town Council.
Infant Jasmine Monique Jackson of 100 Robinson Court, South Boston died Monday, March 23, 1998 at The University of VA Medical Center at the age of two.
She was born on February 8, 1996 the daughter of Janine Jackson.
Infant Jackson is survived by her mother; her maternal grandparents, Willie Jackson and Mary Jackson of Nathalie; her maternal great-grandmother, Verta C. Scott of South Boston; her maternal great-grandfather, Jesse Claiborne of South Boston; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. at The Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church with Rev. L.S. Otey conducting the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Robert W. Holdren of Richmond, a retired Army Sergeant Major, died Tuesday, March 24, 1998 in MCV Hospital in Richmond.
Mr. Holdren was born on June 9, 1919 and was 78 years of age at the time of his death.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby Austin Holdren of Richmond; three sons, Robert W., Jr. of Omaha, NE, Stuart and Sidney Holdren, both of Richmond; three sisters, Mabel Rhodenhizer of Lynchburg, Lucille Wilkerson and Gertie Michaels, both of Bedford; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Holdren will be held today, March 27 at 11 a.m. at Huguenot Chapel of Woody Funeral Home in Richmond with burial to follow at Virginia Veteran's Cemetery in Amelia at 2 p.m.
Pauline Whitlock Majors of South Boston died Sunday, March 22, 1998 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC at the age of 59.
Mrs. Majors was born in Halifax County on March 9, 1939.
Survivors include her husband, Henry Majors of South Hill; one son, Gordon Coleman Whitlock of South Boston; one grandchild; four brothers, Vennie Whitlock, Maynard Whitlock and Thomas Whitlock, all of South Boston, and Willie Whitlock of Petersburg; one devoted sister-in-law, Dorothy Whitlock of South Boston; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Majors will be held today, March 27 at 2 p.m.
at White Oak Grove Baptist Church in Sutherlin with Revs. John Howard and
Jefferson Goode officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Lewis Moore Dodson of 2087 Melon Road, Alton died Thursday, March 26, 1998 at his home. He was 89 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Dodson was born in Halifax County on June 17, 1908 the son of Howard E. Dodson and Mabel Moore Dodson and was married to Alice Douglas Dodson. He was a member of First Cross Roads Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Frances D. Sisco of Richmond; a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Branch, Howard Jr., George and Melvin Dodson.
Graveside services for Mr. Dodson will be held today, March 27 at 3 p.m. at First Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Kenneth Williams conducting the service.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider First Cross Roads Baptist Church building fund.
Sallie Throckmorton Snead of 8154 James D. Hagood Hwy., Scottsburg died Wednesday, March 25, 1998 at Twin Oaks Convalescent Home. She was 94 years of age at the time of her death.
Mrs. Snead was born in Halifax County on September 14, 1903 the daughter of Walter Throckmorton and Lottie Whitlow Throckmorton and was married to Carl Raymond Snead. She was a member of Clover Baptist Church for 60 years.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Sarah S. and Ernest Weston of Chase City and Mary S. and Broaddus W. Parks of Scottsburg; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Raleigh A. Snead of Clover and George C. and Janet Snead of Richmond; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Snead will be held Saturday, March 28 at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Tom Walker officiating. Burial will take place in Clover Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight, March 27 from 7 until 9:00, and other times at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Broaddus and Mary Parks, 8154 J.D. Hagood Hwy., Scottsburg.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Rescue Squad.
Mrs. Flossie Chronister Puryear, 68, widow of Richard Puryear, died yesterday at Duke Medical Center.
She retired from Russell Stover Candy Company and was a member of Florence Avenue Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Keen and Rev. Robert Garrett officiating. Burial will follow in Virgilina Cemetery.
Surviving are two brothers, Lenwood Chronister and Hilton Chronister, both of Boydton, and two nieces, Lisa Lanyon and Dana Chronister, both of Chase City.
Family will receive friends tonight from 7:00 until 9:00 at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home.