Wellspring Academy closed its doors Sunday "due to financial
reasons," forcing parents from across the country to travel
to Halifax County to retrieve their children.
Bob Gluhareff, who owns the school, declined to comment on the
closing and referred any questions to his attorney, Glenn Pulley
of Danville.
"We're not ready to give a statement yet," Pulley said
yesterday. "We have some arrangements to make and decisions
to make after those arrangements are finalized."
Missy Patton, the parent of a Wellspring student, said Gluhareff
called her to deliver the news of the closing, acccording to the
Lynchburg News & Advance.
"He just said it was due to financial reasons," she
said. "He did make a comment that parents' checks were bouncing
and families were not paying."
Another parent, Susan Dalgleish of Charlotte, N.C., told the newspaper
that Gluhareff called and said "he cannot make the payroll
Monday and that he's closing the school."
Teacher Christi Camper-Koplen, who had worked at Wellspring since
November, told a Lynchburg reporter that she was notified of the
school's closing Sunday night..
"My immediate supervisor called me and said that I needed
to pack up my office," she told a reporter.
While allegations of financial problems began surfacing earlier
this week, only one suit had been filed as of yesterday in Halifax
County Circuit Court.
Gluhareff, via his business-The Religious and Educational Institute
of Raleigh- has been named as a defendant in a suit for $26,746.09
for non-payment of a bill from Sysco Food Services "for various
goods and merchandise sold and delivered by Plaintiff to Institute."
Halifax County Sheriff Jeff Oakes said yesterday that he was aware
of allegations of bounced checks, but a Wellspring spokesman had
assured him they had been made good.
"My understanding of the situation is that the crisis was
caused by a $25,000 tuition check from a parent that failed to
clear the bank," Oakes said.
Oakes said that deputies received a call on Friday night that
one of the counselors, Lisa Grant, had taken four children off
the property to make calls to their parents. Two of the students
were reportedly placed at the school via court order, according
to the sheriff.
Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker said his office had received
more than a half dozen complaints about the closing of the Academy,
but he refused to elaborate on their contents.
"We have to call it a large pending investigation,"
Greenbacker said yesterday. "The investigation originally
was into why the kids were removed and whether there was reasonable
cause for doing this."
But Greenbacker said that now various allegations are surfacing
that are claiming criminal wrong-doing. "It's a sad situation."
An investigation into the incident is being handled by the Virginia
State Police, according to the sheriff and commonwealth's attorney.
Grant said yesterday that she removed the children out of concern
for their well-being.
"There were a lot of things that built up to it," Grant
said. "But the primary reason was that there was a problem
with payroll and several people were quitting, namely the head
of security and several security men.
"I knew I was going to leave and then other staff members
started leaving," she said. "At that point, I knew it
was falling apart so we called their parents from the car."
The counselor said that last week's paycheck bounced and Thursday
morning Gluhareff announced a 20 percent retroactive pay cut for
employees.
Grant said that she had been stunned by the pay cut and added
that her pay check two weeks earlier had bounced, but was later
made good by the school.
After confronting Gluhareff, she returned to the school's bank
with a new check, but the bank, BB&T, refused to cash it until
Gluhareff called and convinced them to cash it, she said.
Wellspring Academy was founded by Gluhareff in 1986. It is a year-round
boarding school for boys ages 13 to 18. It has an enrollment of
about 75 students.
Tuition at the school is $49,000 per year, according to Grant.
Another employee, however, noted that many students attending
the school were on scholarships.
As the incumbent running for re-election, Halifax County Sheriff
Jeff Oakes said yesterday that the last eight years as sheriff
have been both the most rewarding and challenging of his 18-year
career with the Department.
Oakes is seeking his party's nod in the June Republican primary.
The sheriff said his record speaks for itself, citing his work
to end drug trafficking in the county.
"We have worked hard to make the lives of the citizens of
the community as safe as possible by targeting drug dealers on
every level, from top to bottom," he said.
Oakes said he was also proud of the overall growth of the public
safety and judicial systems during his tenure.
"We have made the transition to a regional jail, a soon-to-be-completed
E-911 communications center, remodeled the courtrooms in each
of the three courts and have totally replaced or upgraded our
emergency services radio system," he said.
But there is more to be done to serve the community, he added.
"I have kept the promises I made eight years ago as a candidate
for sheriff," Oakes said. "And I haven't finished yet.
There's more work to be done.
"The citizens of Halifax County have rewarded me and my family
over the years and I'm trying in some small way to pay them back
by keeping them as safe as possible," he added.
The sheriff said he has proven over the years that he can deal
with all aspects of the job.
"What they (the other candidates) don't understand is the
level of accountability that exists for the sheriff," he
said. "Irrespective of the situation, you have to answer
to all sides.
"How the deputies conduct themselves in dealing with the
defendent as well as the victim reflects directly on the sheriff,"
Oakes added. "They have to be respectful of the complaints
of the citizens while at the same time protecting the rights of
the criminal. It's a double-edged sword, equally sharp on both
sides."
"If they (the other candidates) knew what all this job entailed,
they'd run from the office of sheriff, not for it," he said
with a laugh.
But Oakes said that his reward from the office didn't involve
a paycheck.
"If your rewards are strictly monetary, you're in the wrong
line of work. This job is about heart and community," he
said.
The sheriff said he hoped the citizens of Halifax County would
give him the opportunity to continue to serve his community.
"What I've tried to do since I was elected sheriff is to
look out for everyone in Halifax County and do the best job I
can," Oakes said. "I don't know how to do it any better."
Supervisors trimmed $334,667 from the School Board's proposed
budget Monday night, approving $11,871,131 in county funding for
public hearing May 5 rather than the $12,205,798 sought by the
School Board.
The Board's Finance Committee, meeting prior to the supervisors'
session, recommended advertising a school operation budget excluding
funding for transfer to construction, as requested by the School
Board.
Overall, the School Board is seeking $47,820,978 in state, federal
and county funding.
The action Monday came in a 6-1 vote, with Supervisor R.E. "Dickie"
Abbott opposing and Board chairman David Martin absent.
Finance Committee Chairman James Edmunds explained that the action
was recommended since a school capital improvements plan would
be addressed by the Board.
"I haven't heard enough about it, just what you all have
said," Abbott charged.
"You have to approve something for public hearing,"
responded Supervisor Tom West. "There will be plenty of discussion."
Supervisors also confirmed two public hearings on Subdivision
Ordinance Amendments recommended by the Land Development Task
Force. Hearing dates are April 28 at the Halifax County Planning
Commission and May 5 before the Board of Supervisors.
"Realtors and other citizens are putting together an alternate
(Subdivision Ordinance Amendment) proposal," Jerry Lovelace,
assistant county administrator, advised supervisors.
Lovelace said a copy of that proposal should be available to supervisors
within a few days.
In other business, County Administrator Joe Morgan reported to
supervisors that one of the five Board of Viewers candidates appointed
to investigate routes into King Village might not be able to serve.
"We may need an alternate," said Morgan, noting that
there had been two additional candidates. The Board advised Morgan
to seek, "in order," the next person on the list, if
an alternate is needed.
Supervisors also voted to include recent flooding in the disaster
winter storms and flooding declarations currently seeking assistance
from federal funding.
The county administrator presented an update on mosquito control,
advising there "doesn't seem to be a lot of assistance."
"Dr. Spencer and the Health Department are actually conducting
a surveillance, particularly with bird deaths," Morgan said.
He added they are also surveying for mosquito types.
Experts in mosquito control have recommended citizens take a pro-active
stance by draining standing water that could serve as a breeding
ground. Water collected in old tires was given as one example.
Edmunds urged people to report dead birds "that may have
died from West Nile," noting that would help in seeking funding
assistance.
"There is no federal or state funding for spraying?"
asked Supervisor William Fitzgerald.
The county administrator replied that Dr. Spencer was trying to
find additional information regarding funding. Morgan said that
Congressman Virgil Goode had been contacted and had sent a request
to the Corps of Engineers.
An award-winning land development presentation
was delivered Monday night before a Board of Supervisors about
to decide controversial and sweeping Subdivision Ordinance Amendments.
The Halifax County High School Envirothon team, overall first
place winners in Area V competition, aired the presentation.
"It could not be more timely," said Supervisor James
Edmunds, who presented the Land Development Task Force recommendations
to the Board at a prior session.
The Envirothon team tackled the tough preservation and development
issues, including land value, farming, conservation programs,
tax issues and a developer's perspective, among others.
Making the presentation were Katy Morris, Lucas Gravitt, Ashley
Slaff, Charlotte Sibley and Katherine McAbee. Two members, Amy
Jones and Nathan Clements, were absent.
Teachers Leslie Duffer and Sandra Bagbey are team sponsor/coaches.
"This is the third year we have had a team, so Mrs. Bagbey
and I are very proud of the team's first place finish," Duffer
said yesterday.
The Envirothon team faces state competition May 18 in Wakefield.
The team is sponsored by the Halifax County Soil and Water Conservation
District
The Halifax County Planning Commission has scheduled a public
hearing on the proposed Subdivision Ordinance Amendments on April
28. Supervisors will hold a hearing May 5.
Halifax County is facing a critical week of baseball this week
with games against a pair of teams some diamond observers saw
as preseason district title contenders.
The Comets will face the first of those games tonight when they
hit the road tonight to face Franklin County in a 7 p.m. game
in Rocky Mount.
On Friday night, the Comets are slated to square off against arch-rival
GW here at 7 p.m. at Comets Field in what will be another Western
Valley District contest.
This week's pair of games are pivotal contests in the Western
Valley District race.
Franklin County (5-4, 1-0 district) enters tonight's game against
the Comets as the only team undefeated in district action.
If the Comets (3-3 overall, 0-1 district) can pull off a win tonight,
each team in the district will have a loss and the district will
be thrown into a five-way tie for first place.
Then, if the Comets can pull off a win here over GW (6-2 overall,
1-1 district) here Friday night, GW, will have two losses and
will be down a game to the Comets.
"These are two big games," said Comets coach Kelvin
Davis.
"We've got that one (district) loss against E.C. Glass but,
looking at the records of the teams in the district, I feel comfortable
with where we are right now.
"GW had a big loss against E.C. Glass," added Davis,
"and, as it stands, everybody is pretty much even in the
district.
"Right now, we're right in the thick of things. All we've
got to do is come in and be ready to play to play against Franklin
County."
Davis pointed out he feels comfortable entering this week.
"We've just to take one game at a time," said Davis.
"We know Franklin County has a real good quality ballclub.
We're going to see what we can do with Franklin County, get that
game over with, and then prepare to play GW."
One thing in the Comets' favor is that the team will enter tonight's
game against Franklin County healthier than it has been in awhile.
A week of rain that has pushed back several games for the Comets
has given several of Davis' ailing players a chance to rest and
heal.
"That week we had off helped us tremendously," said
Davis.
Brent Long, who was sidelined with an ankle injury prior to the
start of preseason practice, has returned to the lineup and is
back in his spot at centerfield.
"He's doing a wonderful job in the outfield and I've got
him hitting fourth in the lineup," said Davis.
Jason Lloyd, who was seen to be the Comets' lead pitcher this
season, has had elbow problems and has not yet made his presence
felt on the mound.
However, Lloyd is expected to take the hill soon.
"He's ready to go for us pitching," said Davis.
Having Long back in the lineup with his defense and bat and having
Lloyd, who has been playing third base recently, available for
mound duty are two big pluses for the Comets as they head into
the beginning of the stretch drive of the season.
Left-handed hurler Andrew Bradley, who has been nursing an injury
for the past three weeks or so, is on the verge of coming back
to the lineup.
"He's getting better," said Davis.
"As it stands right now, he will probably be ready to go
next week."
Right-hander Tyler Clarke, who has had a minor bout of elbow problems,
has mended and is ready to get back into action.
"All of our marbles are ready for us to move," said
Davis.
"What we need to do is just go out here and play Comets baseball."
Davis says he feels good about his team and where it stands.
"I feel comfortable with our defense now," said Davis.
"Knowing what we have here and having (Brent) Long back gives
me so many more options of what I can do with the team."
Walter W. Boelte, 71, of Blackstone, son
of the late Walter W. and Lucy B. Boelte, died April 20.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley J. Boelte; three sons, Carol
O. of Hurt, Walter W. III of Rappahannock County, and John R.
Boelte of Blackstone; two daughters, Deborah B. Broughear of Atlanta,
GA and Pamela B. Vaughan of Powhatan; one brother, Benjamin B.
Boelte of Blackstone; one sister, Barbara McDaniel of Greensboro,
NC; 14 granddaughters; and one grandson.
Funeral services for Mr. Boelte will be held today, April 23,
at 11 a.m. at Crenshaw United Methodist Church with burial in
Lakeview Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Crenshaw
United Methodist Church building fund, Blackstone First Responders,
or Blackstone Fire Department.
Rachel 'Peaches' Chaffin Hedrick, 38, of
Danville, died April 20 in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Hedrick was born October 20, 1964, the daughter of Alva Lynn
Chaffin Sr. and Patricia Moore Henry, and was married to Eddie
Hedrick.
She attended Virginia Tech and was a graduate of Danville Community
College and a graduate of Leadership Southside. Mrs. Hedrick was
a former member of the City of Danville Chamber of Commerce, was
instrumental in establishing the Managed Health Care Network of
Danville through the Gateway Health Alliance, and was very active
in a number of other civic groups and activities.
Survivors include her husband; one son, Hunter Dean Hedrick of
the home; one daughter, Jordan Rae Hedrick of the home; her father,
and his wife, Patsy Chaffin of Richmond; her mother of Danville;
and one brother, Alva Lynn Chaffin Jr. of Richmond. She was preceded
in death by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Moore of Danville
and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Chaffin of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hedrick will be held today, April 23,
at 2 p.m. at Third Avenue Congregational Christian Church with
the Rev. Freddy Vicks officiating. Burial will take place in Danville
Memorial Gardens.
Nancy Wilkins Johnson, 88, of 3001 Wilborn
Road, Virgilina, died April 20 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Johnson was born in Halifax County on December 16, 1914,
the daughter of George Wilkins and Addie W. Wilkins, and was married
to Earnest D. Johnson. She was a member of White Oak Fork Baptist
Church.
Survivors include her husband; one daughter, Addie Barnette of
Virgilina; two sisters, Mable Richardson and Hazel Gillis, both
of Virgilina; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two
step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Earnest
Lee Johnson.
Funeral services for Mrs. Johnson will be held April 26 at 1 p.m.
at White Oak Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Watkins
officiating. Burial will follow in First Baptist Church of Virgilina
Cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Eula Glasgow Martin, 81, of 3060 Chatham
Road, Halifax, died April 20 at her home.
Mrs. Martin was born in Halifax County on November 13, 1921, the
daughter of Acie Glasgow and Alice Martin Glasgow and was married
to Marshall Webb Martin. She was a member of First Baptist Church
of Republican Grove.
Funeral services will be held today, April 23 at 2 p.m. at Bethel
Baptist Church with the Rev. Tony Brooks officiating. Burial will
follow in the church cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Martin include her husband; one daughter, Alice
Cole and her husband, Henry, of Virgilina; one son, Wayne Martn
and wife, Linda, of Danville; two brothers, Wilson and Odie Lee
Glasgow; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and three
step-great-grandchildren.
Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers,
Raymond and Linwood Glasgow.