The first phase of a major reorganization within the county school system occurred Monday night with Halifax County High School Principal Larry Clark being named as Assistant Superintendent For Human Resources.
Clark will take over the position held by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bobby R. Hall who will retire at the end of the current school year on June 30 after having served 13 years as the school system's second highest ranked official.
Also, the Halifax County School Board has named Halifax County Middle School assistant principal Marliss Barczak as Instructional Supervisor for the school system.
She is taking the post being vacated by the retirement of Jean H. Gore, the county school system's Elementary Supervisor.
Gore served as Instructional Supervisor for the former South Boston School school system from 1985 until the South Boston system was incorporated into the county system.
Other personnel moves were made by the school board Monday night that will result in a shuffling of job titles and job responsibilities among school system personnel.
"There will be a domino effect in the school system because of the shifts," Witt said.
"There are other changes coming that have yet to be announced. We will announce those changes when they occur."
Other Changes
Bill Covington, who has served as Director of Finance for the county school system, has been named Chief Financial Officer.
Covington will retain many of the duties he currently has and will assume responsibilities relating to school system insurance matters that Dr. Hall had handled.
Kenneth R. Plaster, the school system's Director of Pupil Personnel, has been named as Executice Director for Administration.
That move will shift Plaster's job responsibilities into instructional administrative areas.
The moves, Witt noted, opens the position of Director of Pupil Personnel as well as the principal's post at Halifax County High School and an assistant principal's position at Halifax County Middle School.
As those positions are filled, other position openings may also occur.
Witt, himself, was also part of the picture in Monday night's round of appointments by the School Board.
The School Board gave Witt a new four year-contract beginning July 1.
He had one year remaining on his current contract.
To help facilitate some of the forthcoming moves, the School Board passed a resolution Monday night giving Witt and school system officials the authority to reassign teachers, principals and assistant principals to any school within the school system provided that the moves do not affect salaries.
Witt pointed out that the Code of Virginia under 22.1-297 gives school boards and school division superintendents that authority.
"In a year when you're going through reorganization and projecting a lot of changes, the superintendent doesn't have to wait from one School Board meeting to the next to make the changes."
The Appointees
Clark, who in 1997 was named as MetLife/NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) Virginia State Principal of the Year, has served as principal at Halifax County High School for 16 years.
He served as an assistant principal at the school for 13 years prior to that.
Clark began his career at Halifax County High School in 1966 as a teacher and taught U.S. history there until he was named as an assistant principal.
Barczak came to Halifax County from West Virginia and started teaching in the local school system in 1988 at Sinai Elementary School where she taught in the sixth grade.
She taught in the sixth grade at Sinai through 1993 and went to Halifax County Middle School as a teacher at the start of the 1993-94 school year.
Barczak was named as an assistant principal at the school in November 1996 and has served in that capacity since that time.
Covington, who has a long tenure with the school system, has served as the school system's Director of Finance since 1989.
A 1967 graduate of Halifax County High School, Covington began his career as a fourth-grade teacher at South of Dan Elementary School.
With the 1985-86 school year, Covington was named Supervisor of Computer Services for both Sinai Elementary School where he was teaching at the time, and for the school system.
He spent two years in that position before moving to the central office full time as Supervisor of Computer Services.
Two years later, in 1989, Covington was named Director of Finance.
Plaster also has had a long career in the county school system.
He started as a fifth-grade teacher at Cluster Springs Elementary School in the 1970-71 school year.
From May 1, 1972 through 1975 he taught reading at Clays Mill Elementary School.
After having served stints as principal at Clover Elementary, Meadville Elementary and Cluster Springs Elementary, Plaster began his career at central office in September 5, 1986 as Supervisor of Special Education.
Plaster was appointed Director of Pupil Personnel in 1991 and has served in that capacity since that appointment.
In other matters:
The Halifax County School Board held a public hearing on its $43.3 million 2000-2001 school budget package.
However, no one made any comments.
That leaves matters now in the hands of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors to decide how much in local revenues it will put into the school budget.
School system officials say $13,299,661 in local money is needed to fund the budget.
However, a recent joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors, a proposed county budget unveiled at that time showed a local appropriation of $12,910,601 from county.
The result is a gap of $389,000.
School system officials told supervisors at the time that the school system has $300,00 in state lottery money that it could put toward bridging that gap.
What remains is an $89,000 shortfall in the school budget that will need to be addressed.

By BOB LEWIS
Associated Press Writer
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Gov. Jim Gilmore gutted a $7 million state budget provision to help pay for health insurance for unemployed textile workers, instead proposing to let localities ravaged by recent factory closings decide how the money is spent.
But the governor signed into law related but separate legislation that increases the maximum weekly unemployment benefit by $38 a week in any area of the state hit hard by unemployment.
He vetoed a bill that would have made the advocacy agency for Virginia's disabled independent of state government and amended a bill to reduce income tax liability for tobacco farmers.
Gilmore amended a bill providing tax relief to tobacco farmers to broaden an exemption from state income taxes for money they receive from Virginia's share of the national tobacco lawsuit settlement.
The bill as passed exempted only money tobacco farmers who have suffered business downturns would receive from the master settlement fund. The amendment, beginning during the present tax year, also covers any money they get from the National Tobacco Grower Settlement Trust and the Tobacco Loss Assistance Program.
Amending the textile workers' health care benefits sets the stage for another battle between Democrats and the GOP when the legislature considers Gilmore's changes during a one-day veto override session on April 19.
Nearly 3,300 people have lost their jobs since last fall because of plant closures or layoffs at Martinsville-area garment plants, once the mainstay of the local economy. Unemployment in the area reached as high as 20 percent, and usloads of jobless textile workers traveled to Richmond to testify - sometimes tearfully - before legislative committees.
''The thing that continues to amaze me is why the governor wants to continually kick a group of people who are down,'' Del. C. Richard Cranwell of Roanoke County, leader of minority House Democrats, said of the Republican Gilmore. ''The manufacturers, the Chamber (of Commerce), labor - nobody was opposed to what we'd done.''
The amendment would create the Economic Crisis Recovery Grant Program, under which the state would parcel out as grants to eight localities $1.5 million in the budget year that ends June 30, and $5.5 million in fiscal 2001.
To obtain a grant, a locality would submit a proposal to the state Department of Housing and Community Development. Grant money could directly aid unemployed textile workers, or it could be used to develop industrial sites, promote commercial development and as enticements for employers.
In announcing the amendment, Gilmore said his alternative ''gives localities the flexibility to provide not only short-term relief but the long-term economic development assistance necessary for a locality to recover from an economic crisis.''
''The previous legislation would only provide temporary short-term relief for a select few and that is not enough for Virginia's distressed communities,'' he said.
In vetoing a bill that would have established the Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities outside the executive branch of government, Gilmore called the bill ''misguided.''
''I do not accept this legislation or the perceived conflict of interest suggested by the bill's advocates. There is no evidence of such conflicts,'' he said.
In a news release, his office noted that during his administration the state has substantially increased the size of the DRVD staff and made free legal representation available to more mentally ill people.
Del. Philip A. Hamilton, R-Newport News, sponsored the bill at the behest of a coalition of eight advocacy groups for the disabled. They sought the bill citing what they say is a history of failure of the DRVD to adequately protect patients from abuse in state mental health facilities.
''I would think that of all the people, he (Gilmore) would understand the separation of power issue,'' said Val Marsh, executive director of the state chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. ''Given all the deaths and atrocities in our mental health system in the past seven years, it seems clear to me that the executive branch of government is incapable of policing itself.''
On Saturday, the governor proposed another budget amendment to add $416 million in state insurance premium tax revenue to the $2.6 billion the legislature approved for transportation projects the next six years.
He also vetoed legislation that would allow localities to impose an income tax of up to 1 percent for transportation.

Governor Jim Gilmore announced this week that he supports a $2 limit on E-911 monthly service fees, a move that could affect a local bid for an estimated $750,000 high-band EMS communications system.
The governor's amendment lowers the $3 per month surcharge limit passed by the General Assembly earlier this year.
The fate of Senate Bill 148's cap of $3 for E-911, as well as the governor's amendment, will be decided when the General Assembly reconvenes for a one-day session on April 19 to accept or reject the governor's amendments and vetoes.
Sheriff D.J. Oakes, in a letter distributed to the Board of Supervisors on April 3, proposed a monthly $2.10 E-911 increase to fund the proposed EMS system, a proposal supported by local rescue, fire and forestry agencies.
The local E-911 surcharge is currently 40 cents, but supervisors have been considering a 60-cent hike.

Oakes is expected to address the EMS communications issue at the board's May meeting.
"My administration supports the development of a statewide emergency telecommunications service," Governor Gilmore announced Monday.

"However, the commonwealth has a fiduciary responsibility to avoid burdening taxpayers with unnecessary high fees in each locality," Gilmore added.
The governor amended Senate Bill 148, which would have authorized local jurisdictions to impose a special tax in an amount not to exceed $3 per month per customer for capital and operating expenses incurred by E-911 service facilities.
The governor's amendment also includes a grandfather clause for localities that imposed a tax rate higher than $2 on or before January 1, 2000. These localities may continue to impose a tax rate equal to or less than the tax rate in effect on January 1.
In his April letter, Sheriff Oakes described the need for county-wide emergency services communication coverage as vital in bringing the county's local fire departments and rescue squads out of the "dark ages of congested, low-band communications."

South Boston Town Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the Tobacco Warehouse District Revitalization Project at its monthly meeting on Monday night.
A public hearing was held during the meeting for a proposed Community Development Block Grant application for the warehouse project.
Dr. Linda McConahey, board member of the Community Arts Center Foundation, businessman Wayne Fuller and Chris Lumsden, president of the Halifax Education Association, all spoke in favor of the resolution.
Fuller said that "one of the problems with the downtown business district the last ten years has been lack of 'foot traffic.'
"The CEC and Prizery projects along with the proposed tobacco warehouse project would result in increased foot traffic," he said.
"With an increase in foot traffic comes an increase in sales; with an increase in sales comes an increase in retail sales tax revenue...it would take the tax burden off of the residents and homeowners in South Boston and place it on the shoulders of the businesses in downtown," said Fuller.
Paul Carrington was the only resident at the hearing who expressed opposition to the project.
His rental property at 314 Ragland Street, located within the project boundaries, is scheduled for acquisition by the town as part of the revitalization, if approved.
Carrington's concerns were addressed by Ted Daniel, town manager.
"Carrington's property is within the study area...we're willing to work with Mr. Carrington to help him improve his property or acquire it," Daniel said.
The council adopted resolutions of appreciation honoring posthumously six town residents for their service to South Boston.
Juanita Bates, Rubye Bell, Phil Conner, Charlie Francis, Dollye Ragland and Roscoe Walton were honored for their contributions to South Boston and the community.
Family members accepting the resolutions expressed their gratitude to the council in acknowledging the accomplishments of those honored.

Among other items:
· Council passed an ordinance amending the town code for carrying a concealed weapon in order to bring it into compliance with state statutes.
The town statute now reflects that of the county's whereby a person may obtain a concealed weapons permit.
· Council heard public comment from three residents of the Lincoln Dr. area of Sinai in reference to the lack of adequate street lighting in their area.
Mayor Glen Abernathy made a request for the proper agencies to look into the matter and prepare a report for the May council meeting.

The Virginia Tobacco Trust Certification Board has paid out 98 percent--the highest percentage in the country--of funds set aside for 1999 to tobacco farmers.
So far $22.4 million has been paid out and second round payments, approved by the board, will be mailed out beginning April 17.
The board is entrusted with making payment to growers and quota holders out of the $340 million in funds from a private settlement between tobacco growing states and the major cigarette manufacturers.
The money will be received over the next 12 years.
The Phase II settlement was reached on July 19, 1999 and the board approved the payment process in September, allocating $24 million for 1999.
"From the outset the goal of this board was to distribute these funds to Virginia's tobacco producers and quota owners as quickly and efficiently as possible," said state Sen. Charles R. Hawkins.
"This money could not have come at a better time, said Halifax County Delegate W.W. (Ted) Bennett.
"For farmers who have seen the amount of tobacco they can grow reduced by almost 50 percent in the last few years, every bit counts. I am pleased that we were able to pay almost every producer and quota holder in the state."

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Philip Morris contributed to the public's negative impression of the company by refusing to bend on some issues, such as nonsmoking sections in restaurants, a spokesman said Monday.
Jay Poole, the tobacco giant's vice president for external affairs, said Philip Morris developed a bunker mentality where its continuing response to questions wasn't simply ''no comment. It was almost like, 'how dare you ask?'
''We didn't talk to anyone outside the industry, we didn't listen to anyone outside our industry. Isn't that a definition of insanity?''
The cigarette industry should have supported nonsmoking sections in restaurants as a common courtesy since second-hand smokes bothers a lot of people, Poole said.
''But the perception within the cigarette industry was you don't give an inch,'' he said. ''So what happened? We got nonsmoking sections in restaurants. And we got them the hard way. In fact, we've still got the bruises to show for it.''
Poole spoke as part of mass communications days at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His speech came on the heels of a potential multibillion-dollar compensatory damage award from a Florida jury that Friday awarded millions in punitive damages to two smokers.
It's also part of a concerted effort by the company to remake its image. Just last year, Philip Morris set up a Web site and created a speaker's bureau so employees can discuss all the company's products and its economic contributions.
Poole touched on those issues, mentioning that Philip Morris, which employs 57,000 people, is the country's largest taxpayer and the second-most profitable corporation in the world. Everyone knows that Philip Morris makes cigarettes, ''but some of you may be unaware that Kraft Foods is a Philip Morris company,'' Poole said.
That's unlikely at UNC-CH, where a student was threatened with expulsion for scheduling an interview with Kraft recruiters when she really intended to question them about Kraft's relationship with Philip Morris.
Student honor court charges against Chiara D'Amore were dropped after she agreed to write letters of apology to Kraft and the Career Services Center and perform five hours of community service.
Poole did not mention that protest in his speech. School officials have said that UNC-CH is negotiating with Kraft for a $30,000 donation to help pay for the renovation of the Career Services Center.
He did say he hoped a recent Supreme Court ruling that the Food and Drug Administration does not have the authority to regulate tobacco will lead to discussions about the sensible regulation of cigarettes and the manufacturing process.
''The tobacco part of our business has been out of step with society for years,'' he said. ''Worse, perhaps, is that we've been in denial about being out of step. We insisted that our way was the right way ... the only way. That was a mistake.''

No contest.
That's the only way to describe Halifax County's 22-0 bombing of Patrick Henry Monday night in Roanoke.
The victory was the seventh consecutive win for the Comets who have yet to taste defeat this season.
And, it gave the Comets a sweep of the Patriots whom the Comets defeated 14-0 earlier this season.
Comets coach Kelvin Davis gave three hurlers work in Monday night's contest with Scott Adams, Justin Smith and Mike Priest combining to spin a no hitter while allowing only two walks among them.
Adams fanned six batters in three innings of work. Smith struck out two batters and Priest set three batters down on strikes.
A strong offensive performance backed up the good pitching with the Comets rattling Patrick Henry for 21 hits in the game.
Priest led the way with a four for five night. Matt Hastings, R.D. Cole, Smith and Jonathan Wallace each chipped in a pair of hits.
All but one player that saw action in the game got a hit in the game that turned out to be little more than a glorified practice session.
The Comets started the offensive barrage early by picking up three runs in the first inning with the help of a run scoring triple by Priest, a run scoring base hit by Brian Medley that scored Priest and a single by Cole that scored Medley.
Halifax County added another run in the top of the second inning to put the Comets up 4-0 when David Greene came up with a hit and scored on the second of back-to-back Patrick Henry errors.
The Comets' big inning was a 16 run rally in the top of the fourth inning when they sent 22 batters to the plate before the host Patriots could retire the side.

Halifax County's rally started with Nick Thompson reaching base on an error and Hastings following with a two run homer that put the Comets up 6-0.
The Comets scored six runs in the inning before Patrick Henry got the second out and scored 10 more runs and sent 14 more batters to the plate before the Patriots could retire the side.
Priest batted three times in the inning and had a hit each time. Hastings also batted three times in the inning and had a homer, a hit, and a walk.
They were two of four Comets players that batted three times in the big inning.
The Comets added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning that started with Justin Shepperd getting hit by a pitch.
Adam Conner reached base later on a fielder's choice and a base hit by Smith plated Shepperd and Conner for the final Comets' runs in the contest.
The game was stopped under a slaughter rule after Patrick Henry failed to score in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Flex Harrison, 87, of College Street, South Boston, died April 9, 2000, in Willow Grove, Penn.
Mr. Harrison was born in Halifax County the son of John and Setelle Harrison. He was a founding member of Fellowship Baptist Church where he served on the trustee board. He was a veteran of WWII and a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include several stepchildren; and a sister-in-law, Lottie Harrison of New York.
Funeral services for Mr. Harrison were held April 10 in Willow Grove.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 16 at the Fellowship Baptist Church on Jeffress Boulevard in South Boston at 2 p.m.

Alean Carrington Beard, age 76, of 1072 Riverdale Drive, South Boston, died April 7, 2000, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Beard was born in Halifax County on April 21, 1923, the daughter of Charlie Carrington and Lucienda Link Carrington and was married to Alvis Beard. She was a member of Mayo Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Essie Ree Alford of South Boston; one brother, Edward Carrington of South Boston; one sister, Rosa Moody of Kilmarnock; one grandson, Kirk W. Johnson of Chicago, Ill.; four sisters-in-law, Odessa Staten of Roxboro, N.C., Ella Carrington of South Boston, Essie Carrington of Alton and Marilyn Harris of Hyco.

Funeral services for Mrs. Beard will be held today, April 12 at 1 p.m. at Mayo Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. A.E. Darrington officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Jessie Fears Ridgway Coffey, 78, of L.P. Bailey Memorial Hwy., Nathalie, died Monday, April 10, 2000, at the Medical Care Center.
Mrs. Coffey was born in Halifax County on December 19, 1921, the daughter of Bennie L. Fears and Mamie Coates Fears and was first married to Frank Erman Ridgway and later to Lloyd Eugene Coffey. She was a member of Childrey Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Suzanne Ridgway of Richmond; two daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Richard Cook of Topping and Betty and C. Russell Dodd of Fredericksburg; five grandchildren, Megan Ridgway, Sarah Ridgway, Joshua Ridgway, R. Taylor Dodd and C. Ridgway Dodd; three brothers, Charles Fears and Carlton Fears, both of Lynchburg, and Clyde Fears of Richmond; four sisters, Ollie Mayhew of Lynchburg, Elizabeth Bomar of Brookneal, Bessie Cook of Nathalie and Joyce Peade of South Boston. She was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
A funeral service for Mrs. Coffey will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, April 12 at Childrey Baptist Church by the Revs. Rodney Barrick and Cliff Reynolds. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Brookneal Rescue Squad or Childrey Baptist Church.