School Bus Transportation, Rising Fuel Costs

What The Halifax County Public School System Faces

Suppose the price for gasoline and diesel fuel holds around $2.50 per gallon–a bet that few are likely to take these days– what impact might it have on transportation costs alone for Halifax County’s public school system?
“We don’t have enough money (in the budget)!”
Bill Covington, Halifax County school system’s finance director, has good reason to watch the price at the pump these days.
As the chief “numbers-cruncher” for the school system, Covington and others assigned to the task of routing, maintaining and fueling the fleet of approximately 140 school buses have plenty to be concerned with even before opening day on Monday.
The ink is still drying on the 2005-06 budget that went into effect July 1.
Last year, the school system was paying around $1.15 per gallon for diesel fuel. That price climbed to $1.94 in June 2005, a price that is exclusive of state and federal taxes.
And the cost for diesel fuel has continued to climb to nearly $2.50 per gallon.
Last year, the county school system budgeted $267,964 for fuel transportation costs. This year, the number was raised to $420,000.
The county enters into contracts with fuel suppliers based on a guaranteed profit margin. But the county’s contract has no ceiling and will rise according to the price the supplier must pay.
Budgeting and making sure that school bus wheels are rolling involves much more than crunching numbers in the central office.
It is at the school bus shop, located directly behind Halifax County Middle School, where the rubber meets the road and the monumental task of routing buses, hiring bus drivers and maintaining the fleet begins and, literally, never ends.
The longer bus routes cover up to 30 miles and transport middle and high school students. Once at the two schools, buses are parked and those drivers return to their homes or work places. A large number of these bus drivers work as teacher aides, in school cafeterias or in other school-related occupations.
Other bus drivers will car pool and either return home on a county-owned vehicle or their private vehicles until the afternoon hour approaches when they head back to make the return trip home on their buses.
Elementary bus drivers, because of the shorter distances they must travel, are permitted to drive their buses home during the day and return to the schools in the afternoon.
Finding enough school bus drivers to transport the approximately 6,000 students is not always easy.
Drivers earn between $59 and $65 per day depending on route distances and experience and must be at least 21 years old, have a good driving record, hold a Virginia commercial driver’s license (CDL-bus passenger certified) and complete a driver-training course conducted by the county’s transportation system.
Most county bus drivers are women. Some have been driving for over 40 years.
Bus drivers met this week to receive instructions and hear Transportation Director David Guill talk about safety and fuel conservation.
Saving on fuel includes refueling buses at each elementary school rather than have them driven to the school bus garage where larger fuel storage tanks are positioned.
More fuel savings will be wrought this year in the way activity buses are used. For example, volley ball and soccer teams will travel together rather than separately.
And school officials are asking the question: “What if?”
What if more parents choose to place their students on buses this year because of the cost of transporting them to school themselves?
How many of the 300 to 400 high school students who normally drive their own vehicles to school will be forced to ride the bus because of rising costs of driving?
“Kids haven’t slowed up yet,” said Doug Newcomb, a county transportation staff member.
But most transportation officials believe, unless rising fuel costs are checked, changes will be forced upon county residents and young drivers won’t be traveling as much and they’d like.
Transportation officials say they can deal with a few extra students on buses but routing and scheduling changes will be impacted.
“We just won’t know until it happens,” said Newcomb.

 

NHVFD Plans Another Marathon Effort

Annual Marathon Sept. 10

With architectural plans for a new fire station in hand, the North Halifax Volunteer Fire Department has set a goal of $10,000 for its annual Marathon.
The Marathon, a primary fund-raiser for the fire department, takes place September 10 on the grounds of the present fire station, located in Republican Grove.
A new fire station is needed to replace the 40-year-old structure now in use, and the new structure is in its planning stages, according to NHVFD Chief L.C. Fisher.
“We have architectural drawings right now, and we’re also working on a site plan with the highway department,” said Fisher.
Fisher added the fire department has raised approximately $100,000 toward the building, which was estimated last year to cost at least $400,000.
Fisher added the department is still seeking a $50,000 USDA Rural Development Grant to help with the costs of the new structure.
The current structure has been enlarged three different times since 1963, and is still too small to accommodate even two of the department’s four fire trucks, one equipment truck, and two ambulances.
Before that, the fire department’s original truck was housed in tobacco barn.
The proposed fire station is a 80 foot by 135-foot metal building with four drive-through bays, a large kitchen area, restroom facilities and equipment storage area. Plans also call for a 45 foot by 85 foot meeting room.
Part of the building will be two stories.
Plans for the new fire station will be available for review during this year’s Marathon, which gets under way September 10 at 11 a.m
The day’s activities will include face painting, hair painting, a kiddie train and other activities for children, as well as an appearance by the Med Flight 3 helicopter.
There will be the annual firemen’s competition, and the raffling off of a homemade “Jacob’s Ladder” quilt.
Barbeque, fried chicken, hot dogs, homemade Brunswick stew and homemade desserts will be available at lunch, starting at 11 a.m. with food served until 7 p.m.
Local entertainers scheduled to perform include Heather Davis, Samantha Gibson, Tori Dawson, Ashley Powell and Patti Hill.
Also scheduled to perform are vocalists Josh Moore and Cecil Fisher, along with the combined choirs from Second Buffalo Baptist Church.
The Liberty Band and Distant Kin Band are scheduled to appear, and dancers from Patricia’s School of Dance will perform at the Marathon.
For those not able to attend, pledges can be phoned in at 349-3500.

 

Obituaries

Overton Tremain ‘O.T.’ Clay

Overton Tremain ‘O.T.’ Clay, 68, of 1137 Paradise Road, Alton died August 13, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Clay was born February 22, 1937, in Person County, N.C. the son of Noel Duncan Clay and Virginia Bass. He was a member of Black Walnut Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, Roger Dale Clay and wife, Kathryn, of Alton; three daughters, Kathy Lynn Clay and friend, Ronnie Smith, of Alton, Deborah Conner, and Joanne Miller and husband, Kenneth, of South Boston; two brothers, Junior Clay of South Boston and Larry Clay of Vernon Hill; four sisters, Rose Curry and Virginia Comer of Vernon Hill, Nancy Joan Duque of Halifax, and Barbara Anne Whitt and husband, Doug, of Roxboro, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Mr. Clay was preceded in death by three brothers; two sisters; and one grandchild, Sammi Jo Clay.
Graveside services were held August 17, at 2 p.m. at Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. H.V. Conner officiating .

Bob Raymond Lee

Bob Raymond Lee, 66, of 3000 Bellevue Road, Halifax died August 13, at his home.
Mr. Lee was born in New York on November 30, 1938, the son of the late Samuel Jasper Lee and Louise Miller Lee and was married to Janet Lee. He was a Vietnam Army Veteran.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Robert Lee and James Stephen; five daughters, Rayetta Lee, Sheila Lee, Sharon Lee, Janice Lee and Kim Lee; one sister, Sarah Coats; one brother, Samuel Calvin Lee; 22 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Lee will be held today, August 19, at 1 p.m. at Mayfield Apostolic Church in Riverdale with Elder Bernard Wilkins officiating.
The family will receive friends at the home.

Lucille Price

Lucille Price, 67, of Nathalie died August 15, in South Boston. She is survived by her husband, Willie Price of the home; one daughter, Patricia Byrd-Price and husband, Kevin, of South Boston; one son, Melvin Price and wife, Cathy, of Brookneal; four grandchildren; her mother, Emma Adams of Gladys; a devoted cousin, Katharine West; and a dear friend Rosa Tisdale.
Funeral services will be held today, August 19, at 1 p.m. at New Shiloh Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery.
Condolences may be emailed to Jeffressfh@aol.com.

Phillip Wayne Waskey Sr.

Phillip Wayne Waskey Sr., 64, of Rose Hill Manor, South Boston died August 18, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Waskey was born in South Boston on January 20, 1941, the son of the late Lewis Peyton ‘Buster’ Waskey Jr. and Mary Lewis ‘Pete’ Waskey, and was married to Louise Hudson Waskey. He was a member of Freedom Worship Center.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Justina Rickmond and husband, Joseph III, of Alton and Laura Waskey of Roanoke; two sons, Phillip W. Waskey Jr. of South Boston and Steve Waskey of Roanoke; two granddaughters, Brooke Bowes of Alton and Taylor Overcash of Roanoke.
Funeral services for Mr. Waskey will be held August 21, at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends tomorrow evening, August 20, from 7:00 until 8:30, at Powell Funeral Home, and other times at the home of his daughter, 4166 Cedar Grove Road, Alton.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History, P.O. Box 383, South Boston, 24592.

Ruth Cliborne Smith

Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth Cliborne Smith will be held today, August 19, with services at the Harmony United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Liz Buxton will officiate.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Smith died Wednesday, August 17, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was 88.
Mrs.Smith was born in Halifax County on January 28, 1917, the daughter lf othe late George Robert Cliborne and the late Ethel Nelson Cliborne.
She was a retired sales clerk at Leggett’s Department Store, was a member of the Harmony United Methodist Church were she served as a lay leader of congregation and was a member of the senior adult Sunday school class, was a member of the choir and was former church treasurer.
Mrs. Smith was married to the late Ira Elliott “Buster” Smith.
She is survived by a foster sister, Eugenia Walker, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Johnny Cliborne, Jack Cliborne and Robert Cliborne.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Harmony United Methodist Church cemetery fund, P.O. Box 12, Alton, Va. 24520.

Intra-Squad Scrimmages Highlight Today’s Grid Action

The Halifax County Middle School Lions And The Comets Freshman And Jayvee Football Teams Have Intra-Squad Scrimmages Today At Tuck Dillard Stadium Starting At 4:30 P.M.

By Joe Chandler
G-V Staff Writer

Another week of football drills is done and the younger set of Halifax County football teams will face a test today. The Halifax County Middle School Lions, the Comets ninth-grade and the Comets jayvee teams will each hold intra-squad scrimmages today at Tuck Dillard Stadium with the Lions going at 4:30 p.m., the ninth-grade team taking the field at 5:30 p.m. and the jayvees playing at 6:30 p.m. Halifax County High School’s varsity team had been tentatively scheduled to take the field for a Blue-White game tonight but the Comets head coach John Lacy Harris said Wednesday night that a decision had been to give the team the evening off instead. Today will still be a somewhat busy one for the Comets football teams as well as Halifax County High School’s other fall sports teams in that today is the high school’s annual fall sports Media Day. Representatives of the area news media and school yearbook photographers will gather to take team pictures and the various other preseason photos as preparations continue for the upcoming fall sports season. Harris said preseason drills overall, continued to go well this week for the Comets varsity team. The focus on Wednesday’s session, Harris noted, was situation drills. "That’s got to get better and it will," said the Comets coach. "This was the first time we had done that." Harris said the team has reached the point of being in the middle of a tough period in the timeline of preseason practice and drills. "We’re in the "dog days" now," Harris pointed out, noting that this was the week between preseason scrimmage games. "It’s just something they need to fight through. It will be game week before we know it." The off night tonight will probably help the Comets players as much as anything. The Comets will face their second and final preseason scrimmage a week from tonight at the annual GW football jamboree. "We have some kids with some bumps and bruises," Harris said. "We need to get them healed up going into next week’s scrimmage."

Comets Linksters Gain Ground

The HCHS Golf Team Gained Ground In The Western Valley District Standings Despite A Meager Improvement

By Joe Chandler
G-V Staff Writer

The Halifax County High School golf team didn’t show the improvement coach David Graham expected when the team hosted the second round Western Valley District Golf Tournament here Wednesday at Green’s Folly Golf Course. But, the Comets did manage to finish third and move to within six shots of third place in the overall team standings which is shared by E.C. Glass and Patrick Henry. "We picked up some strokes but we’ve got to keep improving," Graham said. "We’ve got to keep working at it. We’re young and we’ve got to give them some time." The Comets posted a round of 336 to finish three shots ahead of fourth-place finisher Patrick Henry and four shots ahead of E.C. Glass which finished fifth and rounded out the five-team field. Franklin County, which carded a winning total of 293 Wednesday, has a huge lead in the district team standings after two rounds of the five-round series of regular-season district tournaments. It’s 591 total is 31 shots better than GW’s 622 total. E.C. Glass and Patrick Henry are tied at 667 and Halifax County trails with a 673 total. None of the bottom three teams could come close to finishing within hailing distance of the top two teams – Franklin County and GW – in Wednesday’s round. Franklin County had a big day, carding a team total of 293 to top the field and finish 22 shots ahead of runner-up, GW of Danville. Halifax County followed, 21 shots behind GW. Michael Boyd’s round of 79 was tops for Halifax County. Senior Matt Conner and freshman Raleigh Powell both turned in a round of 85 and Brad Tribble carded a round of 88. The Comets also got a round of 93 from Andy Anchetta and a round of 98 from Michael Jones. However, with only the four best scores counting towards the team total, their scores didn’t figure into the Comets’ team count. The results weren’t what Graham had anticipated. "I was expecting a little better because we were playing on our home course," Graham said. "Michael (Boyd) had a nice round. We’ve just got to learn to handle the pressure." Franklin County apparently was feeling no pressure at all. The Eagles had a big day with Luke Hoffman leading the team with a round of 72. David Hudgins followed with a 73 and Luke Wheeler and Chase Blankenship both turned in a round of 74 to round out the scores that counted toward the Eagles’ team total. Blake Price turned in a 77 for Franklin County and Justin Maxey rounded out the Franklin County contingent with a round of 85. A trio of GW players carded rounds in the 70’s with Brad Harris leading the way with a round of 77 and Parker Hodges and Nevada Watlington both coming in with identical rounds of 79. Patrick Nicholson followed with an 80. As far as the individual scores go, Franklin County’s top five players swept the top five spots with Harris from GW and Boyd of Halifax County rounding out the top seven individual scores. The third round of the five-round regular-season district tournament series will be played Monday at 2 p.m. at Franklin County’s home course near Rocky Mount. WEDNESDAY’S SCORES Franklin County – 293 Luke Hoffman – 32-40-72 David Hudgins – 33-40-73 Luke Wheeler – 37-37-74 Chase Blankenship – 32-42-74 Blake Price – 35-42-77 Justin Maxey – 43-42-85 GW –315 Brad Harris – 36-41-77 Parker Hodges – 36-43-79 Nevada Watlington – 36-43-79 Patrick Nicholson – 40-40-80 Ben Hodges – 38-47-85 Joe Cusumano – 43-46-89 Halifax County – 336 Michael Boyd – 39-39-78 Matt Conner – 41-44-85 Raleigh Powell – 41-44-85 Brad Tribble – 44-44-88 Andy Anchetta – 46-47-93 Michael Jones – 46-52-98 Patrick Henry – 339 Nathan Walker – 41-38-79 Hunter Vinson – 38-43-81 Spensor Conley – 41-48-89 Rob Harbert – 41-49-90 John Breslin – 51-55-106 Luke Templeton – 61-73-134 E.C. Glass – 340 Zach Scharf – 39-41-80 Paul Kadlick – 35-46-81 Will Coleman – 40-45-85 Graham Evans – 45-49-94 Daniel Bost – 50-49-99 Samson Shahady – No Card Team Totals (After 2 Rounds) Franklin County – 298-293-591 GW – 307-315-622 E.C. Glass – 327-340-667 Patrick Henry – 328-339-667 Halifax County – 337-336-673