Monday, March 22, 2004

School Sets Draft Budget
Will Seek $14.5 Million From County

The Halifax County School Board will ask the Board of Supervisors to appropriate $14.5 million to fund a $53.37 million 2004-2005 school budget.

There is a caveat, however.

With the General Assembly at an impasse on the state budget, school system officials pointed out that should the school system receive more state money than is outlined in the budget, the school system will reduce its request for local dollars by that amount.

"We don't know exactly what we're looking at (in terms of local dollars) because we don't know what the state is going to give us," said Bill Covington, the school system's finance officer.

"What we've done is use the lowest number of the House (House of Delegates) version (of the state budget). The real amount for the locality is up in the air."

The School Board's request for a local appropriation of $14,530,162 from the Board of Supervisors represents an increase of $2,659,031 over the current year's budget.

The $53,379,141 budget package represents an increase of $4,941,321 over the current year's budget.

Key items fueling the budget increase include a dramatic state-mandated increase in Virginia Retirement System payments that could reach as high as $750,00, pay hikes for personnel, and $822,549 for school roof maintenance and repairs.

School Board members approved the budget package Thursday night as a draft budget.

The draft budget will be aired at a joint meeting of the School Board and the Board of Supervisors Finance Committee on April 5.

Key items in the School Board budget are an average five percent pay hike for teachers and elementary school principals.

Other school system administrative personnel are penciled in for an average three percent pay raise.

Noting a big disparity between Halifax County and surrounding school systems in the pay for custodial personnel and cafeteria workers, the School Board put in a 10 percent pay hike for those two employee classifications.

A seven percent pay hike was put into the budget for other classified personnel.

Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt said no increases in the school system's contribution toward employee group health insurance premiums were included in the budget.

He said that if insurance premiums go up when the school system renews its contract with its insurance carrier, the additional costs will be absorbed by the employee.

The school budget package includes $822,549 for roof repairs and replacements.

However, it does not include any money for capital projects such as building new schools or major renovations.

In addition, the budget includes funding for six additional positions including three reading specialists to serve the county's K-3 elementary schools.

The three other positions are classroom teacher positions, one for the Middle School, one in Special Education and one to be placed where needed to handle enrollment adjustments.

Also included in the budget is $578,647 to cover the cost of purchasing 10 new buses and the payment on the lease-purchase of 10 buses during the 2001-2002 school year.

Other highlighted increases in the budget included a total of $87,000 in instructional costs.

That included a $65,000 expenditure for new band uniforms for the Halifax County High School Marching Band and $22,000 for supplies and student travel.

Representatives of the high school band and the band booster club appeared before the School Board earlier this month requesting assistance in the purchase of new uniforms to replace the worn 10-year-old uniforms the band is using.

Band booster club officials noted that the organization did not have anywhere close to the amount of money needed to buy the uniforms.

There was also an increase of $20,200 in the line item for professional improvement to include costs for tuition assistance and local in-service classes for teachers and administrative personnel.

The $822,549 line item for roof maintenance and repair covers eight proposed roof projects.

Included was $368,422 for the replacement of the roof on the old section of Clays Mill Elementary School, $232,947 for the replacement of the roof at Cluster Springs Elementary School and $159,960 for a roof replacement at Halifax County Middle School.

The biggest item on the list of repairs was $43,100 to repair the roof at the Halifax County Career Center.

Other schools included on the roof repair list were Cluster Springs Elementary School, Halifax Elementary School, Meadville Elementary School and Wilson Memorial Elementary School.

Expenses for those schools ranged from a high of $7,600 at Meadville Elementary School to a low of $2,000 at Cluster Springs Elementary School.

The dramatic increase in the school system's payments into the Virginia Retirement System is another key item in the budget.

Covington said while the actual amount the school system will have to pay will not be known until the state passes its budget, the increase will be huge in any scenario.

"The VRS rate increase will depend upon which version of the (state) budget is adopted," Covington pointed out.

"Our adjusted rate could be as much as $750,000. That would be what we would have to pay even if we didn't do anything differently than we did last year, even if we didn't raise any salaries.

"It's something we have to pay. We can't avoid that."

The 10-percent pay hike the School Board approved for custodians and cafeteria workers was higher than those proposed by school system officials.

School system officials had proposed a seven percent pay hike for all classified personnel.

In examining the pay for custodians, Halifax County's beginning salary minimum of $11,404 was next to last when compared with those of nine other surrounding school divisions.

It was pretty much the same when comparing the local salaries with those of other localities at five-year increments.

"This custodian thing is ridiculous," said School Board member Nancylee Bagwell.

Witt told the School Board it would seem to be fair to try to raise the salaries to get them closer to those of surrounding localities.

"Ten percent would get them a lot closer," noted School Board chairman Arthur Reynolds.

With that, the School Board, noting that cafeteria workers were in a similar situation, had school system officials increase the pay hikes for those two classifications of personnel.

"I think it's the right thing to do based on the other salary scales," Witt said.

The average five percent pay increase the School Board put into the budget for elementary school principals was higher than the three percent pay hike school system officials initially proposed.

School Board member Steve Anderson pushed for the increase in the salary hike for elementary school principals, pointing out that under the current salary scales there is no real financial incentive for someone to want to leave the classroom and aspire to become a principal.

"It's not attractive to be a principal with the salary scale," said Anderson.
"When you take into consideration that teachers, in most instances, work on a 10-month contract and principals work on a 12-month contract and, based upon the responsibilities and what principals have to do, it's not enough."

Anderson pointed out that his opinion was targeted more toward the elementary school principals than the secondary principals.

Elementary school principals, middle school principals and secondary school principals are on differing salary scales.

"I think what you do for one set of personnel you should do for all three," Witt commented.

Anderson then commented that he felt principals should be given a pay hike equaling that of teachers.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Larry Clark pointed out that with additional workload and responsibilities created by Standards of Learning mandates, Special Education mandates and the ever increasing mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act, building administrators as well as central office supervisory personnel should be taken into account as well.

School Board member Sandra Rister responded by saying that when these mandates come down, "ultimately, it is the people in the trenches who have to do it - it is the teachers."

New Hangar Slated For Airport
Burton Construction Awarded Contract To Build 6,400-Square-Foot Building

Approximately 15 civic and community leaders gathered Friday for a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 6,400-square-foot corporate hangar - the first new building in 36 years - at William M. Tuck Airport.

During the ceremony, Airport Commission Chairman Ronnie Vaughan said a viable airport is essential to economic development for the region.

"In a time of high unemployment, it's important that the leaders of this county put into place the infrastructure needed to bring new businesses to the county to provide jobs for our citizens," he said.

"Infrastructure including roads, water, sewage, electric, land, buildings and, of course, airports are the vital components of a good economic development plan," Vaughan added.

Local contractor J.E. Burton Construction was awarded the contract to build the hanger, with a bid of more than $539,000.

Burton Construction built the last hangar constructed at the airport, in 1968, according to Vaughan.

Funding for the project includes a grant of $210,748 from the Tobacco Commission.

"The improved services Tuck Airport will have to offer will provide an important tourism link for the South Boston Speedway as well as Virginia International Raceway," Tobacco Commission spokesperson Mary Cabell Sherrod said in a press release.

"An up-to-date and vibrant airport is a critical component of any thriving community," she added. "Halifax County has tremendous assets to offer and a viable airport will provide an improved means of bringing visitors to the community while also creating a competitive edge in attracting employers."

Virginia's airports contribute more than $13.9 billion in economic activity each year.

The new hangar will be large enough to house one large jet or multiple smaller planes, according to the commission chair.

Site preparation is slated to begin today, with an estimated completion date scheduled for the end of October.

"This is the first of many exciting new projects that will be taking place here in the next few years," Vaughan said.

Future plans include a new terminal, illuminated and widened taxiways and land preparation for future expansion and development.

After thanking the previous community leaders for the "foresight to build this airport," Vaugan said the future is this generation's responsibility.

"Now it is the responsibility of today's county leaders and the Airport Commission to build on what they started so our children and grandchildren will benefit," he said.

Scottsburg Man Killed In Single- Car Wreck
The Wreck Occurred On Route 614 At 2 a.m. Friday

A 19-year-old Scottsburg man was killed instantly when he lost control of his vehicle early Friday morning, according to Virginia State Police.

Trooper G.M. Gilliam said Friday that Phillip Wayne Newton, of Bethel Road, was traveling on Route 614 at approximately 2 a.m. when officers suspect he fell asleep at the wheel of his 1997 Eagle Talon.

"The vehicle ran off the left side of the road and began overturning," Gilliam said.

While the vehicle was overturning, Newton was partially ejected from the car and killed instantly, police said.

He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, according to Gilliam.

The medical examiner was brought to the scene, where he pronounced Newton dead.

Gilliam said the Talon was a total loss.

Newton was the son of Ernest Herbert "Sam" Newton Jr., of Scottsburg and Whonda Carter Newton of Cluster Springs.

He was employed by Brian Locklear Construction.

Funeral services will be held today at 2 p.m. with services at the Brooks Funeral Home Chapel.

In other police business, Antonio Kelly, 23, of Bergen Street in Newark, N.J., was arrested yesterday and charged with the destruction of property.

The alleged offense occurred yesterday.

Deputy S.M. Bowen was the arresting deputy.

George Raymond Reddick, 26, of East Green Street in Danville, was arrested yesterday and charged with the reckless handling of a firearm.

The alleged offense occurred yesterday.

Deputy R.C. Lipscomb was the arresting deputy.

Angel Marie Hunt, 31, of Ragland Street in South Boston, was arrested Saturday and charged with one count of forgery and one count of uttering.

The alleged offense occurred January 16.

Deputy T.N. Bratton was the arresting deputy.

Donnie Lee Fears, 44, of Coles Ferry Road in Nathalie, was arrested Friday and charged with the assault and battery of a family member.

The alleged offense occurred Friday.

Jeffress Hurls Comets To Win
Jeremy Jeffress Fanned 15 Batters And Allowed Only One Hit To Lead HCHS To A 3-0 Shutout Of Martinsville

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Sophomore hurler Jeremy Jeffress put his Halifax County High School teammates on his right arm here Friday night and carried them to victory.

Jeffress fanned 15 batters including 10 of the first 11 hitters he faced and allowed only one hit and scattered three walks to lead the Comets to a 3-0 win over Martinsville.

"You can't say enough about his performance," said Comets coach Kelvin Davis after his team completed a sweep of its pair of opening-week contests and ran its record to 2-0.

"He just showed his stuff. I was really proud of him because I wanted to see how long he could go. He showed me he's a gamer."

Jeffress rolled along like a well-oiled machine.

The Comets sophomore struck out the side in the first inning and gave up a single to right field, the only hit he allowed in the game, after fanning the first two batters he faced in the second inning.

In the third inning, Jeffress again struck out the side. He allowed a walk in the fourth inning, but still struck out two of the four Martinsville hitters he faced in that inning.

The only inning that resembled any kind of a struggle for Jeffress was the top of the fifth inning when a walk with one out followed by a Comets error put two Martinsville runners on the bases.

However, Jeffress got himself and his team out of that jam and protected the Comets' 2-0 lead by striking out the next two batters he faced to end the Martinsville threat.

Martinsville got one baserunner in the top of the sixth inning thanks to a walk from Jeffress and a Comets error gave the Bulldogs a baserunner in the top of the seventh inning.

But the Comets weren't threatened on either occasion as Jeffress fanned a batter both inning and the Comets' defense took care of the rest.

While Jeffress did his job on the mound, he got offensive support from the middle part of the lineup.

The Comets had only five hits in the game but they came at the right time to score the runs they needed.

With the first four Comets batters in the hitting order, Robert Carter, Jacob Owen, Jason Lloyd and Brent Long going a collective 1-10 at the plate with Owen getting the lone hit among that group, it was the middle of the lineup that got the job done offensively.

Nathan Thomas, the sixth man in the batting order, had a big night, going 2-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles, the first of which came in the bottom of the second inning and gave the Comets their first run of the game.

"Nathan hit the ball well," added Davis.

"He was seeing the ball really well and got a couple of big hits for us."

Long walked to open the bottom of the second inning and scored when Thomas nailed his double with one out.

The Comets also got a hit from Chris Perkins, the fifth batter in the hitting order, and Steven Smith, who was batting last in the lineup.

"That's what it takes," said Davis.

"We need these guys to step up when the other sticks are not doing what they need to be doing. That's the thing about this team, We've got guys that can come out and help this team in many ways."

Smith had a single to lead off the bottom of the third inning for the Comets but was trapped and put out in a rundown between first base and second base when he attempted to stretch it into a double.

Owen hit a double with one out and scored when Lloyd reached base on an error to put the Comets up 2-0.

Halifax County scored its final run in the bottom of the sixth inning which started with Long getting a walk and advancing on a single by Perkins.

A passed ball allowed both runners to move with Long advancing to third base and perkins going to second base.

Long gave the Comets their third and final run of the game by stealing home.
The only thing that took away from what was a good night for the Comets were three bad throws on the defensive side.

"We've just got to mentally stay ahead of ourselves on defense," Davis said.

"That's the thing we really need to concentrate on doing. When things don't go our way at the plate, we can't take it out onto the field. Hopefully, we can learn a couple of things and go on."

The Comets will carry their unblemished record on the road next week.

On Tuesday, the Comets will face Dinwiddie in a game that will start at 5 p.m. and, on Friday, the Comets will travel to South Hill to face Park View in another game with a 5 p.m. starting time.

"Dinwiddie is going to have a good ballclub and we're looking to have a good time there," said Davis.

"It really helps carrying some wins into these games. That's momentum for us."

Obituaries

Ruby Wyatt Gerst

Ruby Wyatt Gerst, 78, of South Boston, died Wednesday, March 17, at South Boston Manor.

She was born in Halifax County on November 12, 1925, the daughter of the late Drewey Wyatt and Mary Bruce Wyatt and was married to the late Roney Gerst Jr.

Mrs. Gerst was a member of Memorial Baptist Church.

She is survived by three daughters, Lou Frances Young of Hyattsville, Md., Lorena Gerst Veney of South Boston and Mary Augusta of Forestville, Md., two sons, Lee Archer Gerst of Washington D.C., and Otis E. Gerst of Hyattsville, Md., six step-children, Ronald Lee Gerst, Tyrone Gerst, Rowena Coleman, Jacqueline Taylor, Dewanda Gerst and Meinesia Gerst, one brother, Thomas William Wyatt of New Jersey, three sisters, Sarah Ann Gerst of Jamaica, N.Y., Ella Louise Weaver of Queens Village, N.Y., and Edith Grandy of Queens, N.Y., 14 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, one son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including the devoted Ella Carrington.

Funeral services for Mrs. Gerst will be held today, March 22, at 2 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Terry officiating. burial will follow in the church cemetery.

George William Knight

George William Knight, 90, of South Boston, died Thursday, March 18, at Halifax Regional Hospital.

He was born in Charlotte Courtouse on February 3, 1914, the son of the late Henderson Knight and Martha Pugh Knight and was married to the late Sydnor Wade Knight.

Mr. Knight was a WWII veteran.

He is survived by one daughter, Tammy Knight of Oakland, Calif., one step-daughter, Jacqueline Ford of South Boston, one step-son, William Ford of South Boston, one sister, Cora Knight of Baltimore, Md., two brothers, David Knight and Joe Knight, both of Maryland, nine grandchildren, one son-in-law, four brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Knight was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Knight.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 23, at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Thomas Bailey Laughorn

Thomas Bailey Laughorn, 61, of Vernon Hill, died Sunday, March 21, at his home.

Mr. Laughorn was born April 15, 1942, the son of the late Howard Laughorn and Gracie King Laughorn who survives him and was married to Barbara Chappell Laughorn.

He was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.

Mr. Laughorn is survived by his wife, his mother, two sons, Chris Laughorn and wife Leigh of Danville and Chad Laughorn and wife Jenni of Vernon Hill, one brother, Mack Laughorn and wife Linda of Scottsburg, two sisters, Ruby Newton of Halifax and Faye Eanes of South Boston, and three grandchildren, Christen Leigh Laughorn and Madison Grace Laughorn, both of Danville, and Skyler Blake Laughorn of Vernon Hill.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, March 23, at 5 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Wilkins officiating.

The family will recieve friends at his home, 1012 Chappell Trail, Vernon Hill.
For memorials, consider the Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, Va. 24592 or the Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, Va. 24592.

Phillip Wayne Newton

Phillip Wayne Newton, 19, of Scottsburg, died Friday, March 19,at Halifax Regional Hospital.

He was born in Halifax County on February 25, 1985, the son of Ernest Herbert "Sam" Newton Jr., and Whonda Carter Newton. He was an employee of Brian Locklear Construction.

Mr. Newton is survived by his parents, one sister, Dana Culley of Cluster Springs, his maternal grandfather, Henry Carter of Chatham, his paternal granparents, Ernest Newton, Sr., and wife Irma of Virgilina, one maternal great-grandmother, Virginia Chumley of Danville, five aunts, Sharon Stump, Dawn Carter, Kathryn Whitt, Virginia Elliott and Louise Newton, and five uncles, Steve Carter, Randy Carter, Michael Whitt, Michael Elliott and Danny Newton.

Funeral services will be held today, March 22, at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Jim McAlister officiating.
Burial will follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Danville.

Flossie Daniel Perkins

Flossie Daniel Perkins, 88, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., died Saturday, March 20, at Myrtle Beach Manor, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

She was born in Halifax County on September 11, 1915, the daughter of the late Jim Daniel Perkins and Clarice Perkins Saunders.

Miss Perkins was a member of Hunting Creek Baptist Church.
She is survived by one sister, Bernice Garrett of South Boston, and one brother, Albert Saunders of Salem.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 23, at 2 p.m. at Hunting Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Anthony Sisk officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Frances Moorefield Riddle

Frances Moorefield Riddle, 87, of 7038 L.P. Bailey Memorial Highway, Halifax died March 18 at The Woodview.

Mrs. Riddle was the daughter of Joseph Henry Moorefield and Ruth Edwards Moorefield and was married to Olin Carson Riddle Sr. She was a member of McKendree United Methodist Church and was a retired employee of Leggett Department Store.

Survivors include one son, Olin Carson Riddle Jr. and wife, Betty, of Nathalie; two brothers, Allen Moorefield of South Boston and James L. Moorefield of Greensboro, N.C.; one sister, Edith Talley of Alton; two grandsons, David Riddle and wife, Mitzi, of South Boston and Daniel Riddle and wife, Kelly, of Richmond; and one great-grandson, Trevor Carson Riddle of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mrs. Riddle were held March 21 at 2 p.m. at McKendree United Methodist Church with the Revs. Jack Goins and Shelton Miles officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider McKendree United Methodist Church building fund, First Baptist Church of Republican Grove building fund, or a charity of your choice.

"If the girls continue to play hard, continue to improve, play up to their capability and all 11 players on the field all get on the same page, I feel like we can play and compete against most people," added Young.

Young says he feels his team has good offensive punch.

"Morgan and Julia can shoot well from outside," Young pointed out.

"Becky (Buckman) is a good scorer. Attie (Poirier) and Emily (Nichols) are both very aggressive as far as attacking is concerned.

"I felt better about the offensive end of the game this year than I have in the past," added Young.

Young says he expects his team to be strong on the defensive end as well.

"I feel like we'll be pretty solid," said Young.

"We've got three girls back from last year that played their position all or a good majority of the time."

Young pointed out that the team made three big mistakes defensively in the scrimmage game against Heritage that resulted in goals.

"We've worked on those things to correct the mistakes," he pointed out.

Young says he has more depth to work with this year than he has had in the past.

And, he says this team has speed and quickness.

"Overall, we have more speed and quickness than we did last year," he said.

"We're fairly quick. We have pretty good speed at several positions. Most of the girls came into practice in fair shape. A few of them came into practice in good shape."

In short, Young is eyeing what he hopes will be a good season for his team.

"I'm optimistic," said Young.

"The girls are very enthusiastic and they have high expectations. I think this can be one of the better seasons we've had here in a while."