One day will be added to the public school calendar and SOL
testing dates have been revised as a result of missed instructional
days due to wintry weather.
Graduation Day remains June 6, 2003, and Spring Break dates are
scheduled for April 18 and April 21.
The Halifax County School Board's decision was unanimous Monday
night.
Revised SOL testing scheduled includes grades 3,5, and 8 for May
12-23, with end of course SOL tests for grades 9-12 scheduled
May 12-16.
There will be an exception for grade 9 students repeating English
and/or math portion of grade 8 SOL test on May 8.
To accomplish its goal, the Board approved make-up days and incorporated
banked time in addition to the one day at the end of the year.
Make-up days are scheduled March 21, May 26, April 14-17, and
one day added to the end of the school year on June 5.
Five days in the 13-day instructional miss will be made up using
banked time which is the excess hours in the school year beyond
the mandated five and a half hours daily.
By taking this action, students will have the advantage of 10
instructional days of the 13 missed before the SOL tests, Assistant
Superintendent Larry Clark explained.
High school students in SOL classes who pass the SOL test will
be exempt from final exams in those courses; if SOL scores are
not reported to students on or before May 30, students in those
SOL courses with C averages will be exempt from final examinations
in those SOL courses.
In other business, the Board heard a report on a portion of the
No Child Left Behind Act regarding highly qualified paraprofessional
teacher aides in the programs.
Title I programs are affected and Valdivia Marshall, director
of Federal Programs, made the presentation.
She said the new requirements affect those paraprofessionals with
instructional duties. Approximately 139 employees are affected.
The NCLB goal is to complete requirements by 2005-2006.
Marshall said that 55 employees are working on associate degrees
and four have associate degrees and are working toward four-year
degrees. Two paraprofessionals have four-year degrees and 12 have
associate degrees. She said that 97 plan to take the ParaPro Assessment
test.
"I believe we will reap many teachers out of this program,"
said Superintendent of Schools Dennis Witt.
The Board also heard a report by Timmons Group engineer Stephen
Hostetler regarding construction projections for new tennis courts
at the high school as well as new track and small practice field.
During a marathon six-minute meeting Monday night, members
of the South Boston Town Council unanimously passed a resolution
supporting the construction of a new, consolidated elementary
school to replace the aging C.H. Friend and Washington Coleman
elementary schools.
The action, taken without holding a public hearing, came as town
council convened for its regular monthly meeting Monday night
at Council Chambers on Yancey Street.
"Whereas, the South Boston town Council considered this issue
and believes that one school would better serve the needs of our
community and whereas the South Boston Town Council believes that
one school would cost less to operate and maintain than two aging
facilities ...
"Therefore be it resolved that the South Boston Town Council
supports the construction of a new, modern K-6 elementary school
in South Boston," the resolution reads in part.
Council's move comes just days after the School Board held a public
hearing in Halifax to discuss a similar possible fate of Halifax
and Sinai elementary schools.
At that public hearing, dozens of residents gathered to voice
their opposition to the proposed closure and consolidation of
the schools.
During their February work session, council members were overwhelmingly
in favor of consolidating the two schools into one facility.
In presenting background information to Council members, Town
Manager Ted Daniels observed during the work session that the
school board has set a March 20 public hearing on the issue.
" I think what they're looking at is putting one elementary
school in South Boston to replace C.H. Friend and Washington-Coleman,"
he said.
During council's February 24 work session, Mayor Glen Abernathy
was quick to speak out in favor of new construction.
"I'd favor a resolution recommending building a whole new
school," he said.
"I'd think they'd have a significant reduction in their long-term
operating costs by constructing one new school," said Councilman
Coleman Speece.
Council also passed a resolution supporting a $38,000 Department
of Health Grant to improve the raw water intake for the town.
In other business, council voted on a resolution recommending
six amendments to the South Boston Town Code be adopted.
These amendments include:
· A change in the date delinquent tax penalties are assessed,
from December 15 to December 5.
· Letting Council set the amount residents pay in parking
rental fees. Currently that amount is $12.50 per month.
· A change in the Town's procurement policy on goods
and services, to be in line with state code.
· Changing the code wording on the dates of Council's monthly
work session and meeting. This change allows the group to conduct
business during their monthly work session, if so desired.
· Deleting some obsolete code relating to taxes on
horses and mules.
· Making vehicle license taxes due and payable on April
15.
Following the regular meeting, council convened in closed session
to discuss the acquisition and/or disposal of real estate.
The crunch of metal on metal. The whir of pneumatic and hydraulic
components.
We do love it so.
Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center was rocking this
past weekend, thanks in no small part to the second-place finish
of Halifax County High School's robotics team.
The center was the site of the east coast regional robotics competition.
Vicky Spake, team coordinator and staff member of sponsor Longwood
University, said that at one point the Halifax County team was
placed even higher.
"We did excellent this year," she said.
"At 2 p.m. Saturday, we were ranked the number one team,"
she said with pride. "In the finals, we went up against a
really powerful team and ended up being the regional finalists."
Spake said that there are no words to describe the pride she feels
for the team.
"I'd just like to congratulate our team for their efforts
and performance this year," she said. "I think the entire
county should be proud of their high school students."
After the second-place finish, team Cometbot '03 is looking forward
to being named to the national competition held this year in Houston,
Texas.
The Halifax County Cometbots placed second out of 61 teams in
the meet, with the competition during 2003 slated to ultimately
reach more than 20,000 students on over 800 teams in 24 regional
competitions.
The teams come from Canada, Brazil, the U.K., and almost every
U.S. state. The regional competition consisted of multiple east
coast states from New York to South Carolina.
Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt didn't mince
words when he offered congratulations to the students.
"We are very happy and proud of their accomplishments,"
he said.
"This is the kind of activity that promotes a positive image
for Halifax County and is really a stepping stone toward preparing
for economic development and technology," he said. "It
shows that we have the people and means to support some technology-based
industry."
Robotics competitions are high-tech spectator sporting events,
the result of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated
mentoring, project development timelines, and working toward deadlines,
Spake pointed out.
And Witt noted that the competitors were fierce this year.
"This is world-class competition," he said. "There
were some teams there who were sponsored by cutting-edge technology
companies."
Last weekend's regional competition was a three-day event with
teams of professionals and young people working together to solve
an engineering design problem.
The objective is for high school students to build a robot that
can compete in an athletic challenge. This year the robots had
to stack and tear down boxes while climbing a ramp. The students
had to program robots to be autonomous and capable of operating
in the first few seconds without human intervention.
In addition, students had to apply the principles of physics to
develop a competitive robot that could tackle the angles and ramps.
The local Southside robotics team was created two years ago as
a result of the Longwood University Institute for Teaching Through
Technology and Innovative Practices (ITTIP) partnership with the
Halifax County Public School Division and sponsoring area education
entities and businesses.
Students from the high school worked closely over the last couple
of months with local engineers, led by a senior-level manager
from ABB, Gary Spake, who provided the engineering consultation.
Vicki Spake, his wife and a member of the staff at Longwood ITTIP,
provided team coordination.
Carol Inge, director of the ITTIP was instrumental in forming
several of the FIRST robotics teams in the Southside region and
views this program as one of ITTIP's most exciting projects.
The core operations team for Cometbot '03 consisted of Kevin Reynolds,
Matt Wilson, Travis Turner and Stephen Harmon.
All four team members were assisted by other student team members
who served in roles such as public relations, graphic design,
and web site development.
Together the team was mentored by local engineers and community
leaders.
As a result of this experience, several students changed their
focus toward engineering, Inge said.
During the Richmond competition these students also brought home
the spirit award, which honors a team for their unification, spirit
and teamwork.
Team Cometbot '03 has shipped its robot to Texas and is hoping
to gain enough financial support to cover the cost of sending
the team of students and engineers to the national competition.
"We would certainly be looking for some community support
to help send the team to Texas," Witt said.
In the coming weeks, the team will be working to earn money through
fund-raising activities and soliciting donations from businesses
and the public. For more information about the Cometbots, contact
Charles Lowery Halifax High School at (434) 575-2030.
Halifax attorney Robert Meeks announced
yesterday that he intends to run against John Greenbacker for
the Commonwealth Attorney's office.
"I'm not going to let this county have the reputation that
it has as far as the Commonwealth Attorney's office," he
said yesterday. "I feel that I need to make myself available
as a qualified candidate for that position."
Meeks said that he has been practicing trial law for 25 years,
and he recognizes a problem when he sees one.
"It's time for a change," Meeks said . "I have
reviewed the situation as far as what has gone on in (the Commonwealth
Attorney's office) for the last several years."
The candidate said that he was convinced that things haven't improved
over the years. "On the contrary, they have gotten worse.
"I want to give the voters an opportunity to do something
about it," he said.
Meeks said he was dissatisfied with the performance of the office
as it stands today.
"Things are being done in the Commonwealth Attorney's office
that are hurting both the county and the taxpayers," he asserted.
"There is a lot of taxpayers' money being spent that doesn't
need to be spent. That was my theme in the last campaign and it
will continue to be in this one," Meeks said.
He also accused Greenbacker of malfeasance.
"It seems that John has continued to miss the speedy trial
deadlines for some major trials, like murder cases," he said.
"He seems to have difficulty counting to five."
But Greenbacker begs to differ.
"I stand on my record," he said. "To my knowledge,
there hasn't been a major case that we've (lost due to speedy
trial issues)."
According to speedy trial legislation, a suspect cannot be held
longer than five months without a trial. If the deadline is not
observed, the suspect could be released.
Greenbacker said yesterday that he isn't surprised that Meeks
is challenging for the office.
The Commonwealth's Attorney said that the voters will have to
make the final decision.
"I think that someone who offers himself as an alternative
ought to be able to show some reasonable basis for thinking that
what's going to happen (if the candidate is elected) will be better,"
he said. "I don't think that Mr. Meeks can do that."
Meeks ran against Greenbacker for the office in 1999, emerging
with approximately 40 percent of the vote.
He said yesterday that he made some mistakes during the earlier
bid for the office.
At the time, Meeks said he had only lived in the county for three
years.
"When I ran earlier, I really think that I made some mistakes
as a novice campaigner," he said. "I think I stand a
much better chance now that I have been in the county longer and
have more experience as to how to campaign."
One of the things he intends to change in this campaign is getting
more people involved, both earlier and at the polls.
"I think that was a weakness that I presented last time,"
he said.
Meeks' career as a lawyer includes private practice in two states,
eight years in the Coast Guard's Office of Chief Counsel and nine
years in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of General
Counsel.
"I pledge to you that if I am elected to this office, all
criminal cases will be prosecuted effectively and efficiently,
focusing on achieving justice and avoiding the waste of our tax
dollars," he said. "And the trial of all cases will
begin prior to the speedy trial deadline."
State Sen. Frank Ruff, R-15th, who tentatively
announced his campaign for re-election yesterday, was joined by
U.S. Representative Virgil Goode, R-5th, who was on hand to offer
his support for Ruff.
Although he said that he has yet to set a date for a formal announcement
of his campaign, Ruff said yesterday that he intends to run for
re-election.
He has served in the General Assembly for seven years. If elected,
this will be his first full term in the Senate.
After redistricting several years ago, the 15th Senatorial District
includes Halifax County, but Ruff said he has always considered
Halifax part of his responsibility.
"While working for the betterment of Southside, I have considered
all the areas of Southside the same in the General Assembly.
"I am now delighted to call Halifax County part of my territory,"
Ruff said.
Goode said that Ruff's work in the General Assembly was invaluable
for the economic recovery of Southside.
"I had the privilege of serving with Frank in the General
Assembly for a number of years," Goode said. "There
is no stronger advocate for Southside and rural Virginia than
Sen. Ruff."
He cited Ruff's work on setting up a fund for Virginia's uninsured.
"At the request of the citizens of Southside, Frank got the
governor to send this bill back down to the legislature so that
the uninsured in Southside Virginia can reap the benefits of this
legislation," Goode said.
The U.S. Representative also cited Ruff's work on the Tobacco
Commission.
"Sen. Ruff serves on the Tobacco Commission with Sen. Hawkins,"
Goode said. "Hawkins and Frank, working with others have
accomplished much.
"Unlike other states, Virginia has been successful in keeping
the funds from the Master Settlement Agreement where they are
needed," Goode said. "In Virginia, that money goes to
the farmer. That money goes toward economic development.
"Sen. Hawkins asked me to convey the message that he wants
to see Frank re-elected so that kind of teamwork can continue,"
he added.
In addition to electing representatives to the Virginia Senate
and House, voters will be selecting a commonwealth's attorney,
a sheriff, commissioner of the revenue, treasurer, supervisors
and school board members in Election Districts 1,4,5,7 and 8,
and persons to serve on the Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Based on the number of persons having obtained candidate packets
for the November 4 general election, the race for the sheriff's
badge in Halifax County should be interesting.
County Registrar Judy Meeler confirmed Monday that six persons
had obtained candidate packets and indicated that they will attempt
to unseat two-term incumbent Sheriff D.J. "Jeff" Oakes.
When asked earlier this year if he was planning to seek a third
term, Sheriff Oakes replied emphatically, "absolutely!"
The list of challengers to obtain election material for the office
of sheriff include several former Halifax County sheriff's deputies.
Among the list are former chief deputy Ray Link of Alton, Keith
Tribble of Nathalie and Todd Moser of Vernon Hill.
Others include former Town of Halifax police chief Charles ConnerConner
is a correctional officer at Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Halifaxand
Freddie Edmunds, a South Boston police officer.
In his first election, Oakes faced four other candidates including
the then Sheriff Eugene Short.
In his second election, Oakes was challenged by Freddie Edmunds.
The present annual salary for sheriff of Halifax County is $66,276.
Oakes is seeking the Republican nomination for the June 10 primary.
Incumbent Senator Frank Ruff of Clarksville and House Delegate
Clarke Hogan will both seek Republican Party nominations.
Former Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett has announced that he
is considering the Democratic party's nomination to challenge
Ruff.
Incumbent Halifax County Commissioner of the Revenue Danny Jackson
and Treasurer Linda Foster have obtained petitions to seek re-election.
Foster is being challenged by Leroy Childress.
Also obtaining material for qualification to run in ED-1 is Dickie
Abbott (supervisor) and Jason Parker (school board); ED-4, Carl
Furches (school board); ED-5, Charles Purcell (supervisor) and
ED-7, Lottie Nunn (supervisor) and G.C. Ratliff (school board).
Both the treasurer and the commissioner are paid an annual salary
of $60,571.
The names of registered voters failing to vote during two consecutive
federal elections are purged. The most recent list of names of
purged voters is posted at the courthouse and the registra's office
in Halifax.
Persons seeking to run for any office are required to certify
their candidacy, obtain on petition the required number of names
and signatures of qualified voters, file a campaign expense statement
and list their economic interests.
The Halifax County High School varsity girls softball team
is looking to a strong pitching corps and defense to help carry
it through the upcoming season.
Head Coach Melanie Saunders' team includes only three seniors,
Mashonda Dismuke, Nikki Fountain and Kristi Myer, as well as juniors
Jamie Anderson, Erica Elliott, Kim Ford, Lindsay Hastings and
Emily Pool.
Dismuke, Fountain, Myer, Anderson, Hastings and Pool were significant
contributors to last year's team.
That team overcame a slow start to finish 6-4 in the Western Valley
District, defeating GW on the road in the district tournament
semi-final, before falling to Franklin County in the title game.
Pitching is a strong suit for the varsity softball team, as right-handers
Pool and Myer return on the mound.
In addition, Saunders can call on freshman Beth Throckmorton,
another right-hander.
Throckmorton is one of two freshman on this year's squad, the
other being outfielder Jasmine Parker.
Five sophomores, Cari Clark, Mallory Lawter, Tracy Nelson, Lori
Reeves and Amanda Rogers, round out the team.
"I've seen leadership coming from out seniors, the ones who
were here last year," and I'm looking for them and my returning
juniors to keep everyone on track."
Saunders is counting on her seniors and juniors to step up in
the early going, and for her sophomores and freshman to get used
to the level of competition before the district games begin.
"Kristi Myer is coming back. She can pitch, and play the
infield or outfield.
"Mashonda Dismuke was our designated hitter, while Nikki
played second and had a good stick last year."
Saunders indicated that her team should be versatile on defense
this year, with the ability to play several positions.
"We have nothing set position-wise right now, but we have
some pretty strong gloves."
The roster lists Anderson at catcher, with Dismuke, Elliott, Fountain,
Hastings, Lawter and Roger in the infield.
Clark, Ford, Parker and Reeves are listed as outfielders, while
Nelson is listed in the utility position.
The Comets will need that versatility in the tough Western Valley
District this season.
"Franklin County and GW are awfully strong, with both their
pitchers returning," said Saunders.
She added E.C. Glass and Patrick Henry had good pitching as well
last season, with the team hitting the ball the best having the
advantage.
"The pitching is strong enough to get each team through,
but it depends on who gets the key hit at the key time,"
Saunders predicted.
"One hit or one error may decide a game, and whoever gets
on top of the bats first in this district is who is going to take
it."
Funeral services for Ralph Earl Austin were held yesterday at
the Brooks Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m.
The Revs. Don Davidson and Marvin Cook officiated.
Burial followed in the Clover cemetery.
Mr. Austin died Friday, March 7 in Halifax Regional hospital.
He was 79.
Mr. Austin was born in Halifax County on December 6, 1923, to
the late Jim H. Austin and the late Nannie Moss Austin.
AVirginia Game Warden for 40 years, Mr. Austin was married to
the late Gladys Conner Austin, and was a member of Clover United
Methodist Church, the American Legion Post 8 and the Halifax Sportsman's
Club.
Survivors include one son, David "Speedy" Austin of
Raleigh, one brother, James R. "Pete" Austin of Shelbyville,
Tn. and two sisters, Barbara Ann Jones of Red Oak and Sandra Edwards
of Mechanicsville.
He was predeceased by one son, Richard Michael Austin, two brothers,
Sonny Austin and Dude Austin and one sister, Ruby Holdren.
The family request that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to
the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantations, P.O. Box 1398, Brookneal,
Va., 24528.
Rosa Lee Ballou, 49, of 6217 Hunting Creek Road, Nathalie, died
March 6 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Ms. Ballou was born in Halifax County on August 19, 1953, the
daughter of Prunious Ballou and Nell Edmunds Ballou. She was a
member of Bethel Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Katherine Ballou of Nathalie;
four grandchildren; two sisters, Brenda Ballou and Carolyn Ballou,
both of South Boston; three brothers, Perry Ballou of Clarksville,
Lawrence Ballou of Halifax, and Jerry Ballou of Lawrenceville.
Funeral services for Ms. Ballou will be held March 11 at 2 p.m.
at Bethel Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Nelson Stamps officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Funeral services for William Lloyd Gravitt, 79, of Huell Matthews
Highway, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Shady Grove United
Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery.
The Rev. Don Davidson will conduct the service.
Mr. Gravitt died Saturday at McGuire Virginia Hospital in Richmond.
He was a retired tobacco farmer and Army veteran.
Mr. Gravitt was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church,
a member of the American Legion Post 8 and the D.A.V.
He was born in Halifax County on September 29, 1923, a son of
the late Hustler A. Gravitt Sr. and Willie Lucy Cole Gravitt.
Mr. Gravitt is survived by his step-mother, Bertha L. Gravitt
of Virgilina, three sons, Randolph L. Gravitt and Christopher
L. Gravitt, both of South Boston, and Gerald B. Gravitt of Vernon
Hill, three brothers, Hustler A. Gravitt Jr. and Arthur Gravitt,
both of South Boston, and Billy Gravitt of Richmond, one sister,
Betty Ann Drury of Albany, Georgia, six grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.
Visitation time will be at Brooks Funeral Home on Tuesday between
7:00-8:30 p.m., and at other times at the home, 4122 Huell Matthews
Highway, South Boston.
The family requests that those wishing to give memorials please
consider Shady Grove U.M.C. Building Fund, 4129 East Hyco Road,
South Boston.
Charlotte Elizabeth Kent, 83, of Wilmington, NC, died March 6
at New Hanover Medical Center.
Mrs. Kent was born in Camden County, NC on January 13, 1920, the
daughter of Charlie Sawyer and Bette Simpson Sawyer and was married
to Maurice Samuel Kent.
Survivors include one daughter, Sharyn K. Adams of South Hill;
one son, Maurice Kent Jr. of Virgilina; three grandchildren, Gary
L. Kent of Boydton, Charlotte K. Pennington and Brian A. Keeton,
both of South Hill; three great-grandchildren, Chase Kent of Boydton,
Nathaniel Pennington and Dale Keeton, both of South Hill.
Graveside services for Mrs. Kent will be held today, March 10
at 11 a.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Sue Wiley
conducting the service.
Ms. Betty Sue Penick of Wickham Street, South Boston, died Thursday,
March 6, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Ms. Penick was 55.
She was born in Halifax County on October 18, 1947, and was a
daughter of Geanettie Penick. She was a member of the Pleasant
Grove Baptist Church.
Ms. Penick is survived by four daughters, Ms. Patrice Penick and
Ms. Monica Penick, both of South Boston, Mrs. Samantha Wade of
Clover and Mrs. Stacy Greene of South Carolina; three sons, David
Collins, Alfie Penick and Tracey Bailey of Alexandria; 13 grandchildren;
her mother, Ms. Geanettie Penick of Clover; four sisters: Mrs.
Sarah Wilson and Mrs. Jacqueline Lacks of Halifax, Mrs. Yvonne
Gordon of Philadelphia and Mrs. Joyce Sydnor of Alexandria.
Other survivors include seven brothers: Warren Penick, Jesse Penick,
Freddie Penick and Fulton Penick, all of Halifax, Robert Penick
of Louisiana, Lawrence Penick of Alexandria and Vincent Thompson
of Philadelphia; one son-in-law, one daughter-in-law and a host
of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In honor of the wishes of Ms. Penick, there will be no memorial
service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial
contributions be made to the American Heart Association, Mid-Atlantic
Region, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, Va. 23058.
The family will receive friends at the home of Mrs. Samantha Wade,
8010 Hunting Creek Road, Clover. Funeral arrangements are by Jeffress
Funeral Home, North Main Street, South Boston.