Halifax County High School would have faced a serious space crunch next year had school trustees not implemented the 4x4 Block Schedule format.
With demand for additional sections of some present classes, the creation of new classes, primarily in World History and World Geography, and the necessity of having to add five to seven more teachers under a six period day format, there simply would not have been adequate space to meet the needs.
Halifax County High School principal Larry Clark said that the revelation did not come until after student class registration had been conducted.
"It was only an opinion at first," Clark said.
"Until we registered the students and had the data and created a master schedule, that revelation did not occur to us."
"It is our opinion based on particular data and based on the fact we have some graduation requirements for ninth graders we would have run out of space in trying to accommodate the classes requested by the students," added Clark.
Clark qualified the remark by noting that actual physical space is present. But, there is not enough space to adequately meet the needs of some of the courses that will be taught.
"It might have meant taking a space designed for something totally different and having to use it," Clark pointed out.
"Where we would run into problems is if you're talking about having to use a vocational (education class) space."
Clark said when you look at raw data about space in a building, you see the information as just spaces.
"It's just a space," Clark explained.
"But, in fact, the space you're talking about is not appropriate for your typical academic class."
The only options that would have surfaced, the high school principal said, would have been ask the school board to rethink some of the recommendations that had been made concerning some of the graduation requirements.
Also, Clark said, the school board could have considered allowing eighth graders to take some early credit courses.
"Some school systems take that approach," Clark said.
Moving to the 4x4 Block Schedule format allows for greater flexibility in the use of existing classroom space, Clark noted.
"There is a certain degree of efficiency achieved when you use the 4x4 Block Schedule with teachers teaching three out of four periods a day in a regular classroom," explained Halifax County High School principal Larry Clark.
"In a six period day, you have a classroom that can be occupied by seven teachers when you have teachers teaching five periods a day. You take those same six classrooms and in a four period day with teachers teaching three periods a day, that same classroom can be used by eight teachers. With the 4x4 Block Schedule with students moving fewer times and teachers teaching fewer classes per day, you achieve that increased efficiency."
Now that the okay has been given to implement block scheduling at Halifax County High School, what's next?
A lot of work says school principal Larry Clark.
"There will be a lot of things going on over the rest of the school year and throughout the summer," Clark said.
"We're going to spend a good deal of the second semester in staff development and working with our teachers in the development of pacing guides and the development of a variety of innovative teaching techniques."
Among the staff development events that have been planned are a math workshop slated for Monday, and a workshop concerning issues in block scheduling which is slated for the entire staff on the afternoon of February 3.
Also scheduled are school department workshops in March and May, teachers visiting schools using the block schedule format during March and May, work throughout the summer by teams of teachers on adjusting the curriculum and establishing pacing guides, and taking an extra day during the pre-school workdays for further staff development.
In addition to moving forward with intensive staff development, Clark said work will begin immediately on fine tuning the student class registration data.
"Students will be needing to meet with guidance counselors to get problems with individual schedules resolved," Clark pointed out.
A third area of focus, Clark said, is working toward resolving both anticipated and unanticipated issues that may come up. One of those areas involves issues pertaining to the school's attendance and discipline policies.
Because block scheduling will mean an acceleration in the rate that course material is taught, absences will have a greater impact on student achievement than ever before.
"We will also need to resolve the issue the number of credits required for graduation beyond the graduating class of 1999," Clark noted.
"Those," Clark added, "are the three main areas we are going to address in the remaining 100 or so days left in the 1997-98 school year. And, we will have work going on throughout the summer on pacing guides and generally getting ready for the start of the new school year."
"All along, we will be keeping the school faculty informed of what is going on and we will be making period reports to the school board to inform them of the progress that we are making as we move toward the implementation of block scheduling."
Ground will finally be broken today for the 110-bed jail that will be located off Edmunds Street in Halifax. The new facility will replace the existing Halifax County Jail, an overcrowded structure built in the early sixties.
The approximately $8.2 million Halifax project will be built by the Texas-based Hensel Phelps Construction Company, with an expected completion time of about 18-20 months, officials said.
The construction firm's regional office is located in Chantilly, Virginia.
Not only will size, function, and location of the jail be different, ownership will also be vastly changed. The new jail will be part of the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority, which will also have jails in the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Bedford and Campbell.
The new Halifax County jail will be a three-and-a-half story facility which will have sections for different security levels of prisoners, according to Christopher R. Webb, Administrator of the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority.
A 48-bed general population will house the majority of medium security prisoners, while four eight-cell units will contain special populations, which includes high-security inmates, females, and special management cases, Webb explained.
A 24-bed dormitory is planned for people convicted of misdemeanor counts which carry jail terms, he added.
By Beth Robertson
Once upon a time long ago, an abandoned wife wrote this sad lament to her husband.
Over the mountain top I go, That you see yonder white of snow. I bathe my cheeks in tears for you, Can you shed one tear for me?"She needed money, but she must have still liked him," observed Nita Throckmorton as she poured over the sometimes dusty, always fragile 1752-1913 court records in Halifax.
"She didn't stop proceedings even though she still had feelings for him," observed Throckmorton. "I think he finally came through."
Whether the abandoned wife's apparent success was driven by love or the strong arm of the law remains a timeless mystery.
The abandoned woman's sentimental plea is simply one of a dozen or so vignettes Nita Throckmorton and Mary Jane Epps have uncovered since they began flat filing records and indexing names found in Halifax court documents last January.
Since then they have processed over 3,000 cases, carefully opening and cataloguing each, repairing fragile bills of complaint when needed, and entering the names of those involved in the various lawsuits.
When the project is completed - hopefully in the spring - genealogists, historians and court aficionados will be one step nearer the easy access Halifax Circuit Court Clerk Bobby Conner ultimately plans.
The next step will be acquisition of a grant to microfilm the records, at which time the film could be made available to genealogists here and through the state library in Richmond.
Although Throckmorton and Epps cannot pause to read the many records, the nature of their work dictates additional time spent in indexing some of the lawsuits.
Depositions and letters are particular favorites of Epps because they share an insight into the times as well as case facts.
One sad remembrance was the exchange of letters between a local family and correspondents in Texas who were asking for a settlement.
"They were saying why they could not sell crops, talked about a bad drought and a lot of sickness here," recalled Epps.
The ladies also discovered a reference to a financial panic of 1873, and found it sad to read about the dire circumstances encountered by some residents.
Court records also confirm a sad truth - wills and inheritances too often provoke serious family discord.
One mid-1800's will addressed the ageless problem:
"I desire above all there be no malice, hatred, envying, covetousness or disputations amongst you, but let all things be done in love, peace and in the fear of God, and be content with whatever your lot."
It was not uncommon for early wills to make reference to God, noted Throckmorton.
"I commend my soul to God who gave it,
"And my body to the earth of which it was made," wrote one gentlemen.
Working from the 1900s back to the 1700s, the ladies are discovering fewer divorce cases as they progress. They have also discovered some unexpected and "very descriptive depositions," one of which occasioned a blush even in their secluded setting.
Inside one 1883 case, a surprised Epps also discovered $600 in Confederate money.
A Confederate States of America certificate issued in 1863 is also among the records.
There are numerous Civil War references, according to the ladies, too often noting that a certain person did not come back after the war.
"Some of the old plats are interesting," observed Epps. "They colored the trees and drew the mansion house ...with smoke curling out of the chimney."
A song she had heard in the past took on new meaning when Throckmorton discovered "a letter edged in black" in the files. "It was a death letter," she explained. "It was done perfectly." Both the envelope and the page within announcing the death carried the black border.
Familiar "old folks" terminology also surfaced in court records, words like noggin, dun, dram, bailiwick and right smartly.
And some things never change. "You can almost tell the section of the county you are working by the names," said Epps.
The ladies' "work" is destined to open a treasure of information to historians, and Clerk of Court Conner said the people are paying for it.
For each instrument recorded here there is a checkoff fee of $1 that goes to Richmond to the state library to do projects such as this, explained Conner.
"We apply for those funds. It is the taxpayers, we are paying for this," said Conner.
"The goal is to make these previously unavailable records - with no backup, very fragile and some 150 years old - available to the public. They supposedly have a wealth of family information in them," added Conner.
The current project began with flat filing.
"They were formerly folded in three inch strips to fit folders. Now we are flat filing and indexing on the computer all identified names in the suits. This part of the process we hope to complete this spring."
Next will come a request for another grant to microfilm the papers, at which time Conner said film will be available in Halifax and at the state library. Another copy will be in storage at the state library.
"These dedicated ladies have spent countless hours keying in this stuff," continued the Clerk. "It will refer you to where that name appears. Then you can pull that reel of film and put it in the printer and read it."
Microfilming is yet another step taken to protect court records, a step Conner is anxious to accomplish. The ultimate goal is to assure the handwritten Halifax court legacy for generations to come.
A host of charges were filed against a South Boston man after he fled on foot during a Wednesday night traffic stop on Popular Creek Street, according to South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall.
Timmy Donzell Petty, 20, of River Road was charged with driving under the influence (second offense), attempting to elude police, and driving with a suspended operator's license, Chief Hall said.
Petty, who was driving a 1986 Buick, was stopped by SBPD Officer D.W. Barker at 10:30 p.m. He fled on foot, but was recognized by Barker, who had arrested him before, Chief Hall said.
At 11:03 p.m., Petty called police from a Briggs Street residence to report that his vehicle had been stolen, according to the investigation.
Police then went to the residence and arrested Petty.
Petty will possibly face additional charges stemming from the incident, Chief Hall pointed out.
Petty was released on bond pending his trial in the Halifax County General District Court on March 2.
A Scottsburg man was seriously injured during an early Wednesday morning crash in the Clays Mill area near Difficult Creek, according to the Virginia State Police.
Ray C. Foster, 35, lost control of his 1992 Mazda while headed northbound on Rt. 609, approximately nine-tenths of a mile north of Rt. 610, police said.
Foster ran off the right side of the road, overcorrected, struck several small trees, and then overturned, according to the investigation.
The wreck occurred sometime during the early morning hours of Wednesday. Police and rescue personnel were called to the scene at 6:54 a.m.
The vehicle was listed as a total loss with estimated damages of $9,000, police said.
The incident is still under investigation by Virginia State Trooper R.L. Hodges.
In other wrecks investigated by the state police:
· A two-vehicle wreck occurred Tuesday morning at the intersection of U.S. 360 and Rt. 58 in Riverdale.Andrew Lester Barker, 42, of Axton was attempting to make a left hand turn from U.S. 58 onto Rt. 360 when he pulled into the path of a westbound vehicle driven by Bruce Oliver Bussey, 43, of Chesapeake, police said.
Bussey and a passenger, Holly K. Bussey, 13, were transported to the Halifax Regional Hospital for treatment, according to the investigation. Barker was not injured.
Bussey's 1998 Chevrolet sustained estimated damages of $5,000, while Barker's 1996 Plymouth sustained an estimated $9,000 in damages, police said.
Barker was charged with failure to yield right-of-way. The 8 a.m. wreck was investigated by Virginia State Trooper D.T. Conner.
· One person was injured during a Wednesday morning collision between a pickup truck and a tractor trailer on U.S. 58, seven-tenths of a mile east of Rt. 751, police said.
Carson Lee Bennett, 64, of Greensboro, N.C. lost control of a 1988 Chevrolet pickup truck which ran off the left side of the road into the median strip, police said.
Bennett then overcorrected, causing his vehicle to travel back across the roadway where it struck a 1985 Volvo tractor trailer driven by Fred Lee Crouse, 55, of Kernersville, N.C.
Both vehicles were headed westbound when the collision occurred, according to the investigation. Bennett was transported to the Halifax Regional Hospital for treatment.
Damages to the pickup truck were estimated at $6,500, while damages to the tractor trailer were estimated at $200, police said.
Bennett was charged by VSP Sgt. J.L. Hopkins with reckless driving.
· A single-vehicle wreck occurred early Monday morning on Rt. 799, one mile south of Rt. 658, police said.
Virginia Lee Jones, 50, of Vernon Hill was driving a 1994 Ford pickup truck which apparently blew a left front tire, causing the wreck, according to the investigation.
The vehicle ran off the left side of the road, started to overturn, but struck a tree which caused it to remain upright, according to the investigation.
Damages to the truck were estimated at $1,000. No charges were filed and the 12:50 a.m. wreck was investigated by Virginia State Trooper R.C. Compton.
"Big problem parking" was the theme of Halifax Town Council's update on the Blue Ridge Regional Jail construction project during Council's Tuesday night meeting.
Ground-breaking ceremonies are slated Friday at 10 a.m. in Halifax.
The jail will be constructed on land directly behind the Town of Halifax Administration Building.
Halifax Town Administrator Bob Greene told councilmen the lower parking lot was scheduled to be completed first. Greene estimated 90 days on the project. Following its completion, construction trailers will be moved to the parking area immediately behind the town's administration building.
The town, which was leasing parking spaces at its downtown lot on the corner of Maple and Mountain Road prior to any construction plans, has encountered a rush of applicants as construction draws near. Greene said yesterday there are a few spaces left.
Other parking options are being explored in the town by the county.
"Hopefully, we will have approval to park on Craddock-Terry property," said the town manager. Parking there would be free. Councilmen are exploring any available spaces to help the parking situation in the Town of Halifax.
Council is expected to appoint five members to the Board of Zoning Appeals at its February meeting.
A Halifax man was arrested Wednesday after assaulting a family member and then struggling with police, according to the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
Lonnie Donnell Mosley, 25, of Ball Park Loop Road was charged with a misdemeanor count of assault and battery of Shernita Mosley, a household or family member.
He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of obstruction of justice after he allegedly fought with police during his arrest, according to the investigation.
Mosley was released on bond pending his trial in the Halifax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on January 21. He was arrested by Deputy J.L. Lucia.
In other cases:
· Michael Brian Desmond, 34, of Nathalie was charged Wednesday with a misdemeanor count of assault and battery, police said.
Desmond allegedly assaulted Candace Desmond, a household or family member, during a disturbance, police said.
He is currently being held in the Halifax County Jail pending his trial in the Halifax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on January 21.
Desmond was arrested by Sgt. T.E. Logan and Deputy David Gibson.
· Leroy Cornelius Watkins, 52, of South Boston was arrested Thursday on a felony count of possession of a concealed weapon, a knife, (after previously having been convicted of a felony). The alleged incident occurred on November 11, 1997.
Watkins was also charged with a misdemeanor count of being drunk in public. That charge stems from the same incident, according to the investigation.
He was released on bond pending his trial in the Halifax County Circuit Court. Watkins was arrested by Lt. S.M. Cassada.
Will Thomas Lawson of 1811 Horseshoe Road, Cluster Springs died Saturday, January 10, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 77.
Mr. Lawson was born in Halifax County on February 17, 1920 the son of Aaron Lawson and Susie Faulkner Lawson and was married to Olivia Crawley Lawson. He was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Marion Crawley and Tammy Crawley, Joann Crawley and Karen Crawley, all of Cluster Springs; four sons, Lawrence Crawley,Walter Lawson, and James Lawson, all of Cluster Springs, and Michael Crawley of South Boston; 11 grandchildren; four sisters, Annie Crawley and Mary Owen, both of South Boston, Alee Tuck of Alton and Beatrice Murphy of Washington, DC; five brothers, James Lawson and Daniel Lawson, both of South Boston, Otis Lawson of Hampton, Walter Lawson and Edward Lawson, both of Philadelphia, PA; two daughters-in-law; and other relatives and friends, including a devoted friend, Joseph Barnett.
Funeral services for Mr. Lawson will be held today, January 16 at 1 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Thomas Boulden officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Syble Ross Long of Winston-Salem, NC died Tuesday, January 13, 1998 at Forsythe Memorial Hospital in Winston-Salem. She was 89 years of age.
Mrs. Long was born November 5, 1908 in Oak City, NC the daughter of John Columbus Ross and Charity Council Ross and was married to Harold Thornton Long. She was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, and a retired school teacher.
Funeral services will be held at Republican Grove United Methodist Church today, January 16 at 2 p.m. with Revs. Roger Wilborn and Bob Jeffords, and Dr. Gary McCollough officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Long include two daughters and sons-in-law, Syble and Troy Kennedy of Winston-Salem and Betsy and David Johnson of Green Bay, WI; three sisters, Eloise Hall Starling of Lexington, NC, Mary Ruth McCracken of Oak City, NC and Helen Ross Benton of Kenansville, NC; two brothers, Charles Ross of Greenville, NC and J.C. Ross of Oak City, NC; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the church from 1 until 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall today.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Salvation Army,
Covenant Presbyterian Church, or Republican Grove United Methodist Church.
Anah Atchley Seaton died at Avante Nursing Home in Lynchburg on Tuesday, January 13, 1998 at the age of 83. She had lived in Lynchburg for the last 11 years near her daughter, Mary Jane Murray.
Prior to moving to Lynchburg, Mrs. Seaton lived in the Aarons Creek community.
Survivors include one daughter; five sons, Andre of Tarzana, CA, Lonnie of Chesapeake, Harris of Bullock, NC, Bowman of Orangeburg, SC and Robert of Bedford; one sister, Mary Kerr of Maryville, TN; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services for Mrs. Seaton will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 17 at Halifax Memorial Gardens, South Boston with Rev. Jim Moon officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Alzheimer Association, 203, Ninth Street, Lynchburg, 24505.
Thad Lee Jackson of Scottsburg died Monday, January 12, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 80 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Jackson was born in Halifax County.
Survivors include four daughters: Barbara Jackson of Bronx, NY, Deloris Moore of New York, NY, Patricia Jackson and Regina Jackson, both of Silver Springs, MD; two grandchildren; one sister, Russell Mitchell of East Elmhurst, NJ; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Jackson will be held Saturday, January 17 at 1 p.m. at Crawford, Garrett & Burton Funeral Chapel with burial in the Jackson family cemetery in Scottsburg. Rev. Louis Leigh will conduct the service.
The family will receive friends at the home of his nephew, Douglas Jackson, 2038 Scottsburg Road, Scottsburg.