Granville Co. Schools Declare May 16 Optional Teacher Workday

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-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville Co. Public Schools

On Thursday, May 10, the Granville County Board of Education unanimously approved a recommendation to cancel classes for all traditional calendar students on Wednesday, May 16, and designate it as an Optional Teacher Workday for staff.  On this day, many educators from across the state will be gathering in Raleigh to show their support for public education to state lawmakers.

Due to the large number of leave requests on this day, GCPS cannot secure adequate staffing to maintain a safe, effective learning environment for our students. The Board of Education and administration understand the disruption this may cause with our families’ busy schedules. We will be providing information soon about ways to support our children and their families on this day without school.

The Board of Education also understands the importance of supporting our hardworking and dedicated educators in their efforts to improve public education. We hope that you will join them in being champions for our children and all they deserve.

Vance Co. Board of Education Expected to Approve May 16 School Closing

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

After meeting with the officers and representatives of the Vance County Association of Educators and reviewing staff request leave data, Superintendent Anthony Jackson will recommend to the Board of Education on Monday evening that Vance County Schools convert Wednesday, May 16, to a student holiday and an optional teacher workday.

A majority of the Board of Education has indicated their support of the request and plans to approve the superintendent’s recommendation at their meeting on Monday evening.

The recommendation and expected board decision are the result of a planned teacher advocacy rally that is scheduled for May 16 in Raleigh. The event, sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Educators, is expected to draw thousands of educators from across the state.

The current request from Vance County Schools’ staff exceeds the district’s ability to provide coverage with available substitutes.

The administration is making this recommendation to support our teachers’ desire to advocate for better pay and benefits while balancing it with the needs of our schools and students.

The recommendation to the board will be to:

  • Designate May 16 as an optional teacher workday
  • High school Advanced Placement testing continues as planned
  • The “Honoring Academic Success” banquet to recognize the top 10 percent of the Class of 2018 graduates will be held as planned on May 16, at 6:30 p.m. in McGregor Hall in Henderson and students should report to McGregor Hall as directed by their teachers and counselors
  • To recapture the lost instructional time, all schools will add 15 minutes to the instructional day from May 29 – June 8

This schedule will allow the school system to maintain the current exam and commencement schedules.

“I strongly believe that this recommendation is in the best interest of our schools and the best path for us at this time,” Jackson said. “The lack of available substitutes to cover our anticipated absences could potentially place us at-risk next Wednesday if we remain open. We will be stretched to provide the necessary supervision and standard of care our parents expect. This recommendation, while not perfect, will allow us to support both teachers and students.”

Mother’s Day Gifts Galore at Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

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-Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, VCRFM

Mother’s Day is upon us, Sunday, May 13, 2018!

You are invited to the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Drive, Henderson, on Saturday, May 12, 2108, which is the last shopping day before Mother’s Day.

The Market will be open on Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

An assortment of crafts for gift giving along with beef, pork, produce, wine, strawberries and baked goods will be available for purchase!

Breakfast sales will start at 8 a.m.

Anticipated Vendors – May 12th:
Adcock Farm – Canned goods & tomatoes
Backroad Farm & Vineyard – Wine, lettuce & kale
Cakes Delish – Designer Cupcakes
Dixon & Sons Farm – Strawberries & Pork
Donation Station – Collection for ACTS
Eclectic Peacock – Variety of Crafts
Faulkner Family Farms – Meat – Pork
Five Crows Over Lick Skillet – Jewelry
Glover Gifts – Crafts Galore
Harvey Hills Farms – Plants, herbs & flowers
JASM Farms – Strawberries, Onions & Turnips
J W Creek Farm – Meat – Beef & eggs
Jerri’s Things – Crocheted and Sewn items
Kelly Lynn Photography – Photographic Art
Orelly’s Curry Q Sauces – Bottled Sauces
Pretty Tough Stuff – Bracelets & jewelry
Stone Bridge Farm – Lettuce, Chicken & Guinea Eggs & Swiss Chard

Beginning May 16th: The Farmers Market will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Special Event:  Rise and shine! Chef Gavin Jackson is returning to the Market after a successful debut last week. Gavin’s Grub Hub will be serving breakfast starting at 8 a.m. Arrive early, sells out quickly! Menu includes: Shrimp & grits, biscuits & gravy, quiches and breakfast style potatoes

Contacts: 
Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814
Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188

(This is not a paid advertisement)

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Henderson City Council has Full Agenda for May 14 Meeting

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-Public Notice, courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

The Henderson City Council is scheduled to hold their regular meeting on Monday, May 14, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536

Agenda items include:

  • Recognizing retiree Wanda Ball.
  • Consideration of holding a public hearing on the question of annexation for the Salvation Army.
  • Consideration of approval of Ordinance 18-07, 1) Extending the Corporate Limits of the City of Henderson, North Carolina; 2) Assignment of Newly Annexed Areas Ward 2, and 3) Directing the City Attorney to Record Annexation with Vance County Board of Elections, Vance County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina Secretary of State.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-05-A, Approving a Supplemental Agreement for Funding with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for the Beckford Drive (SR 1165) Widening Project with High Impact Funds in the Amount of $400,000.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-27, Reimbursement of Special Use Permit Fees for Greenhouse Structures.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-24, Awarding a Contract to North State Water and Sewer Inc. in the Amount of $159,300 for the ROBCO Manufacturing Water and Sewer Line Extension Project.
  •  Consideration of approval of Ordinance 18-17, FY18 BA #18, Transferring Funds from General Fund Non-Departmental to Public Buildings and Grounds Budget for the Ash Tree Treatment Program.
  •  Consideration of approval of 1) Resolution 18-28, Approving Execution of a Hydraulic Water Modeling Contract with Hazen and Sawyer in the Amount of $66,900; 2) Resolution 18-31, Approving a Contract with Stantec to Develop a Financial Planning and Member Rate Analysis; 3) Ordinance 18-18, FY18 BA #19, Transferring Funds From KLRW Reserves to Contracted Services and 4) Ordinance 18-22, FY18, BA #22 for the Hazen & Sawyer Contract.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-26, Accepting a Grant/Loan from DWSRF for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System Plant Improvement Project in a total amount of $15,000,000.
  • Consideration of approval of 1) Resolution 18-34, Awarding Change Order #1 for the Newton Dairy Road, Birch and Bobbitt Project; and 2) Approval of Budget Ordinance 18-20, FY18 BA #20, Amending the Budget for the CDBG Infrastructure Project #14-I-2658.
  • Consideration of approval of 1) Resolution 18-33, Approve Change Order #2 to Replace Water Services to HG Reynolds for the Newton Dairy Road, Birch & Bobbitt Project; and 2) Ordinance 18-21, FY18 BA #21, Amending the Budget for the CDBG Infrastructure Project 14-I-2658 (Newton Dairy Road/Birch and Bobbitt Street Sewer Extension Project.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-32, Authorizing the Demolition of 314 Hillside Alley.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-35, Authorizing the Application for a State Farm Community Grant by the Henderson Fire Department in the Amount of $25,000.
  • Consideration of approval of Ordinance 18-16, Establishing a No Parking Zone on Zeb Robinson Road.
  • Tax Releases and Refunds from Vance County for the Month of March 2018.

Granville Chamber to Hold 4th Annual Appreciation Picnic

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— courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce will host their 4th annual Member Appreciation Day picnic on Friday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Granville Athletic Park (GAP), 4615 Belltown Rd in Oxford.

This is a Chamber Ambassador-sponsored event that will include free hot dogs, hamburgers and trimmings. The Chamber encourages you to drop by anytime and enjoy great conversation, corn hole and a free lunch.

The food will be prepared by members of the Ambassadors’ group and the picnic is being held to express the Chamber’s appreciation of their members.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to wanda@granville-chamber.com, (919) 693-6125; or tawheeler@granville-chamber.com, (919) 528-4994.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

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Upcoming Budget Workshops for Granville Co. Commissioners

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold budget workshop sessions on Tuesday, May 15 at 10 a.m. and Thursday, May 24 at 4 p.m. at the Granville Expo & Convention Center.

At the May 15 session, commissioners will hold a review of service expansions, including County departments and outside agencies.

Slated for discussion are Granville County Public Schools, general government, Human Resources, Finance, Board of Elections, Veterans Services, Senior Services, Vance-Granville Community College, Social Services, Library, Recreation Advisory, Inspections, Fire Services, Solid Waste, Animal Management, Recreation, SGMG, Granville County Museum, John Chavis Historical Society, ACIM, Oak Hill Heritage Museum and Shepherd Youth Ranch.

Franklin County Schools

Franklin Co. Schools Will Close May 16 for Teachers’ Rally

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-Information from an email sent to parents of Franklin County School students

Good Afternoon Parents and Guardians,

We closely monitored the number of anticipated teacher and support staff absences in light of the rally that will take place on Wednesday.

This rally in Raleigh was established in support of improving teacher working conditions and classroom opportunities for students.

We reached a point at which scheduled absences of teachers and support staff will not allow us to safely and effectively operate that day. Therefore, all schools are closed for students.

May 16th will be an optional teacher workday, the central office will be open and students will not make up the day. All school activities on May 16th are canceled with exception of Advanced Placement (AP) testing at our high schools. Impacted students will receive additional guidance regarding testing directly from their respective schools.

We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you and have a great rest of your day.

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Warren County to Recognize Historic Communities with Signs

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

Warren County’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is moving forward with its program to preserve County history. Permanent signs will eventually be placed across the county in communities contributing to the history and development of Warren County. To date, four pilot communities have been designated: Ridgeway, Russell Union, Arcola/Bethlehem and Soul City.

Citizens seeking to be included in this new effort are still needed to form committees to research their communities’ history, select a roadside site where motorists can pull over to read the sign and to raise funds for the purchase of the signs (similar in appearance to the silver-toned signs already in the county). The County’s Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Department working in conjunction with the HPC will select a company to produce the signs similar to what is done for State markers through the State Historic Preservation Office.

Signs have been researched to cost approximately $2000 and funding is available to assist the Ridgeway, Russell Union, Arcola/Bethlehem and Soul City in starting their respective efforts. Communities that raise the necessary remaining funds would need to have checks written out to Warren County General Fund and delivered/mailed to:

Warren County Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Department

Attn: Ken Krulik

542 West Ridgeway Street

Warrenton, NC 27589

Ken Krulik, Planning and Zoning Administrator, as staff to the HPC, shall maintain records of funds collected and from which community. In an earlier article he said “In identifying the various communities with these signs, those who visit our county and those who reside here can learn more about its history and contributions as well as how these local areas were formed. Through this new program, the HPC is working to preserve and promote these communities as well as protect our county’s cultural heritage.”

The signs will include the name of the community, historical information such as when the community was established and why it is prominent in Warren County’s history, the county seal and the county’s tourism website address, where additional information can be viewed. The HPC plans to partner on the project with the county library, which can archive additional historical information about the communities, such as genealogical research and photographs.

Community members interested in participating or getting more information may contact Ken Krulik at (252) 257-7027,    (252) 257-3037, or KenKrulik@warrencountync.gov.

Town Talk 05/11/18

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News 05/11/18

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