VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW
VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW
At Viper Stadium vs. South Granville
Friday, September 7
7:00 PM
Vance County High School will begin conference play this Friday in memorable fashion: the game will be the first conference game for the new school’s football program, and the first game played in Viper Stadium, the repainted and repurposed Raider Stadium at the former Southern Vance.
Unfortunately, the matchup will also be a mind-sticker because the Vipers face off with the Vikings of South Granville, the defending Northern Carolina Conference 2A champions, who were undefeated in the regular season last year. With a veteran coach and a proud football tradition, the Vikings bring their hard-running offense into this season as pre-season favorites to repeat as conference champions, even without last year’s starting quarterback, leading rusher and several key receivers.
The Vikings started off this season as well as they did last year, with a 3-0 record, and average scoring of 25 per game, while allowing their opponents just 7 points. The Vipers have shown that they can score three touchdowns per game, but their defense has allowed 40 points or more in each of their first three outings.
As impressive as the running games of Franklinton, Red Springs, and Beddingfield were against Vance County, their defenses were not as tough as South Granville’s. That could be bad news for the Vipers.
Listen live to Vance County Friday Night Football coverage on WIZS and streamed live at www.wizs.com.
Commissioner Hester Says ‘We’ve Reached the Bottom and We’re Headed Back Up’
Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr., whose many accolades include local business owner and chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the current economic growth and the future potential of the local area.
With phase III of the process, the County is expanding the existing Henderson-Vance Industrial Park located at the intersection of Bear Pond Road and US-1 Bypass in Henderson. “It’s been 32 years since we’ve looked at investing in our community as far as an industrial park,” said Hester. “We are now in the process of closing on 85 acres of land.”
The park, which has already secured a $2.45 million grant from the Rural ReadySites program for infrastructure purposes, will be zoned for light industrial and general commercial use.
“It’s a prime location and it has everything that you need available – natural gas, water, sewer and internet access,” Hester said.
With the prospect of multi-billion dollar companies such as Amazon and Apple establishing headquarters just a short drive down the road in Raleigh, Hester believes the local area needs to be ready for growth. “You’ve got to be ready. If you aren’t ready, you won’t be able to get people here.”
Hester also sees signs of a growing and prospering county in the influx of new businesses to the community, including the much-buzzed-about Planet Fitness scheduled to open in the Henderson Marketplace off Beckford Drive at the end of the year.
“I think we are readier now [for growth] than we’ve ever been,” Hester said. “We’ve put so many things into place.”
Hester referred to the County water project, currently in its third phase of completion with expansion down NC-39 as a step in the right direction. “The more infrastructure you put in, the better off you’re going to be for growth and doing what you need to for the quality of life for the people in your community. We all need to work for jobs, quality of life and education.”
According to Hester, “I think we’ve reached the bottom and we’re headed back up.”
Data Shows Marked Improvement in Vance Co. Schools for 2017-18 Year
-Press Release, Vance County Schools
Vance County Schools showed substantial improvements for the 2017-2018 school year based on accountability data released today by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, evidence of the accuracy of the district theme for the year, “Year of Breakthrough.”
The results were made public today after the data was presented to the N.C. State Board of Education.
Superintendent Anthony Jackson noted, “It is with great celebration that we announce six Vance County Schools improved their School Performance Grade (SPG) by one letter grade in 2017-2018 and nine schools either met or exceeded student growth standards. The district has one “A” school, three “B” schools, six “C” schools and five “D” schools. We are beginning to see the results of our strategic focus on instruction, leadership, innovation and most importantly, children. The students in Vance County Schools are creative thinkers, have an innovative mindset and have a desire to chart their own course for their future.”
Those six schools improving by a letter grade were Pinkston Street Elementary, L.B. Yancey Elementary, Carver Elementary, E.M. Rollins Elementary, Henderson Middle School and Southern Vance High School.
The 2017-2018 results also show that the district’s grade-level proficiency grew by 2.2 percent, continuing the steady trend of closing the gap in grade-level proficiency between local students and students across North Carolina. Vance County Schools continues to search for innovations that will enhance opportunities and experiences for students.
The four-year cohort graduation rate for the district also improved to 82.1 percent in 2017-2018 from 81.9 percent in 2016-2017, with over $8 million in scholarships earned by students.
The outstanding student performances last year were the result of a lot of hard work by students, teachers, school support staff, administrators and parents. Academic improvements also occurred because of school administrators and support staff working with teachers to focus on specific areas in reading and math where students needed additional assistance to improve their skills. Classroom teachers used available data to follow the progress of students and provide extra instruction and interventions to help students improve and reach their goals.
For a third consecutive year, Vance County Early College High School earned a SPG of “A” and exceeded growth expectations. Based on the outstanding performance of students at the school, they earned an overall proficiency rating of 91 percent in end-of-course testing in Biology, English II and Math I. For the Biology and English II testing, Early College students were more than 94 percent proficient. The school’s overall proficiency rating was five points higher than in 2016-2017, another major milestone for the district.
Pinkston Street Elementary School led all elementary schools with a 17-point increase in its students’ proficiency in end-of-grade testing in reading and math in grades 3-5. The school’s overall proficiency in 2017-2018 was 74 percent, compared to 57 percent in 2016-2017. The outstanding results gave Pinkston Street a SPG of “B,” an increase from the school’s “C” grade the previous year. Pinkston Street students also exceeded growth standards.
L.B. Yancey Elementary School also improved by a letter grade to a SPG of “B” last year. The school also exceeded growth for the year with a nine-point jump in its students’ proficiency on the end-of-grade assessment to 71 percent from 62 percent the previous year.
Clarke Elementary School was the third “B” school in 2017-2018 with an overall proficiency rating of 72 percent, slightly higher than in 2016-2017, and its students met growth.
Carver Elementary School had an increase of 10 points in its students’ proficiency in reading and math as it exceeded growth standards and led local schools with a SPG of “C.” The improvements moved Carver up from a SPG of “D” in 2016-2017.
Other “C” schools included: STEM Early High School with an overall proficiency of 68 percent; Aycock Elementary School with an overall proficiency rating of 67 percent; Dabney Elementary School with an overall proficiency of 61 percent, up by five points, and exceeding growth; Zeb Vance Elementary School with an overall proficiency of 61 percent and exceeding growth; and Southern Vance High School with an overall proficiency rating of 55, up by two points from the previous year.
STEAM Academy at E.M. Rollins Elementary School had a 13-point student proficiency increase in 2017-2018 from the previous year. Northern Vance High School, New Hope Elementary School, Henderson Middle School and E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School had increases in some areas. The only “F” school was Eaton-Johnson Middle School.
“Data is trending in a positive direction,” said Cindy Bennett, assistant superintendent for Strategic Planning and Student Services. “Continuing the laser focus on strategic planning, training, and instructional protocols will continue to enhance the overall student performance in Vance County Schools.”
“Our final performance results for the 2017-2018 school year derive from the intentional, focused hard work of administrators, teachers, students and parents,” added Dr. Trixie Brooks, assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “This past year was a ‘year of growth’ across the district. Many schools in the district exceeded the state’s expectations for growth! I feel great about our trajectory towards a ‘year of breakthrough’ with student performance this year. ‘A Year of Breakthrough’ is this year’s theme and we are on our way! We have revised our Instructional Framework to make sure we define what teaching and learning look like in our classrooms. We are committed to our students and their academic, social and emotional needs. Congratulations to all schools for a fantastic ‘year of growth!’ I am Vance County Proud!”
Judd Sentenced For Felon in Possession of a Firearm Charge
-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today in federal court, United States Chief District Judge James C. Dever, III sentenced XAVIER RAMONE JUDD, 32, of Henderson to 36 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
JUDD was named in a two-count Indictment filed on December 20, 2017. On April 19, 2018, JUDD pled guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
On November 7, 2017, officers with the Henderson Police Department conducted a traffic stop. As officers approached the vehicle, they observed JUDD in the passenger seat. JUDD tried to encourage the driver to leave, but the driver refused. JUDD exited the vehicle and began walking away from the scene. When officers attempted to arrest JUDD, he resisted slightly but was eventually arrested without further incident. In the passenger area where JUDD, a convicted felon, had been sitting, officers seized a 9mm handgun.
This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.
The Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.
News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on twitter @USAO_EDNC.
Granville Co. Public Schools Continues to Make Progress in Improving Student Achievement
-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
On Wednesday, September 5, 2018, the NC State Board of Education released standardized test data for all public schools across the state for the 2017-2018 school year. The results for Granville County Public Schools (GCPS) show that overall, the district continues to make progress in improving students’ academic success. Generally speaking, 15 schools met or exceeded growth: 7 of 19 schools “exceeded growth”, and 8 of 19 “met growth” as measured by the state.
Additionally, students’ proficiencies increased in 9 out of 17 EOG and EOC tested grade level and content areas. Furthermore, 9 schools achieved double-digit increases in proficiency in at least one tested area, and 4 schools experienced 20+ point gains in proficiency in at least one tested area. Finally, our 12th-grade students across the district also outperformed other students from across the state by six percentage points on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment, which is designed to measure workplace readiness. GCPS students performed at 74.2% on the assessment while the state average was 68.2%.
Letter grades assigned by the state fluctuated slightly compared to previous years. The following graph shows letter grade distribution for all schools since the state began assigning letter grades:
| 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 |
| A – 0 | A – 1 | A – 1 | A – 1 | A – 1 |
| B – 2 | B – 1 | B – 3 | B – 4 | B – 4 |
| C – 9 | C – 8 | C – 10 | C – 9 | C – 7 |
| D – 6 | D – 6 | D – 6 | D – 4 | D – 6 |
| F – 2 | F – 3 | F – 0 | F – 0 | F – 0 |
As reported by the NC Department of Public Instruction, “school grades continue to correlate closely with the poverty levels of schools. Among schools where more than 81 percent of students come from low-income families, 69 percent of the schools received a D or F.” This correlation also held true for all of the schools in Granville County that received a letter grade of “D”.
Superintendent McLean provided her perspective on the results, “While I am certainly pleased to see many positive areas in this data, there is still much room for improvement. Our goal is for every student to experience significant growth in every area. We believe that ALL students are capable of reaching their full potential, and we will not rest until this goal is achieved.”
With changes in school leadership and modified instructional supports in place, academic improvements are expected in the coming school year. For additional information, please visit the NCDPI Accountability website, which provides detailed data.
Rezoning/Revitalization Among Topics of Upcoming Oxford Commissioners’ Meeting
-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford
The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall.
Agenda items include:
Recognition – September Yard of the Month.
Public hearing and consideration for a request by T. Chase Massey, PE and Eddie Caudle Jr., landowner for rezoning of 2309 NC Highway 96 consisting of 88+/- acres from I-1 (prime-industrial) to R-8 (1 & 2 family residential).
Public hearing to hear input with regards to the City of Oxford submitting an application for the 2018 Neighborhood Revitalization CDBG Project.
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City of Oxford to submit an application for the 2018 Neighborhood Revitalization CDBG Project.
Consider calling for a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, in the Commissioners’ Board Room, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street, Oxford, NC, to receive input from the public regarding the City of Oxford seeking a $500,000 loan in order to repair City streets.
Approve the final listing of streets to be repaired in conjunction with the DOT repairs that are scheduled to begin in 2019.
Consider applicants for the Henderson-Oxford-Granville-Vance Airport Authority Board for a 2-year term expiring July 2020.
Consider applicants for the Oxford Housing Authority for a five-year term that expires September 2023.
Adopt a resolution for the City Clerk to investigate the sufficiency of the petition for a contiguous annexation of 37 acres located on New Commerce Drive and certify its sufficiency. The requested petition for annexation is for a site that abuts the City of Oxford’s wastewater treatment facility. The request is required for connecting to the city’s water and sewer.
Franklin County Continues to Improve School Performance Grades
-Information courtesy Franklin County Schools
Franklin County Schools continue to make gains in performance grades with six schools making an “A” or a “B” during the 2017-2018 academic year. That is up from two “B” schools just three years ago.
Nine schools earned a “C” and 14 out of the 16 schools met or exceeded growth. Within three years’ time, the district went from seven low performing schools in 2014-2015 to one low performing school in 2017-2018.
School grades are based on an 80/20 formula. 80 percent of the mark comes from proficiency of end-of-year tests, 20 percent of the grade is based on student growth.
Franklin County Schools’ composite score is nine percentage points ahead of where the district was three years ago. The score is 57.5, or up 8.7 points from the 2014-2015 school year.
“We meet every student where they are and strive for growth. 87% of our schools met or exceeded a year’s worth of growth for a year’s worth of instruction. Our staff demonstrated a commitment to excellence, which contributed to the moving from seven low performing schools to just one, over three academic years. We are proud of our accomplishments and will continue to build upon these through fostering relationships and setting high standards for instruction in the classroom,” says Superintendent, Dr. Rhonda Schuhler.
Most schools maintained or increased their letter grade. There was also a significant improvement in school growth in comparison from last academic year—to the current one.
When it comes to individual school performance, the Early College High School earned an “A” for the second year and exceeded growth for the third straight year.
Bunn Middle School exceeded growth for the second straight year and Royal Elementary exceeded growth for the first time ever.
Franklinton Elementary School is no longer a low performing school, earning a “C”.
Youngsville Elementary is a “B” school for the first time since the 2014-2015 school year.
Laurel Mill Elementary is a “B” school… going from a 54 or “D “low performing school to a 71 or “B” in just three years. It is only one of four North Carolina schools to see that type of increase in a three-year period.
All high schools met or exceeded growth with Louisburg High School increasing by 2.5 composite points. The Early College High School went up 2.8 composite points.
Results also show our graduates are career and college ready.
Franklin County’s graduation rate came in at the highest ranking since the state started to keep track of the figure. 86% of high school seniors graduated in the last academic school year, up one percentage point from the previous year. It is also right in line with the state average of 86.3%
80% of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) graduates received a certificate or credential and 25% of graduates earned at least one post-secondary credit.
Superintendent, Dr. Rhonda Schuhler credits a change in school culture for the marked success, especially at the elementary school level. School leaders are holding teachers accountable and teachers are holding parents and students accountable. It is a culture where learning is possible.
“Our staff is focused on the right thing which is student achievement. Our teachers are going to do what is right for our kids and because of that, we are going to get positive results. When principals build strong relationships with teachers, teacher vitality improves. Teachers are happier to come to work and they, in turn, give our students the best possible education.”
