TownTalk 5-24-21 Vance Co. Schools

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John C. Rose and Bill Harris discuss Vance County Schools including graduation, Dr. Anthony Jackson’s resignation and the search for a new superintendent.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Governor’s Executive Order Requires Unemployment Claimants Fulfill Work Search Requirements

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– press release –

Governor Roy Cooper today issued an Executive Order directing the Department of Commerce to encourage and help people who are receiving unemployment benefits transition back into employment.

“Unemployment benefits have provided a critical lifeline for many North Carolinians living on the edge due to the pandemic. As our state emerges from the pandemic, we want to help people safely return to work as soon as possible. Reinstating the work search guidelines will help connect claimants with employers, resources and tools to help them return to the workforce,” said Governor Cooper.

Under Executive Order 216, all existing claimants of unemployment benefits will be required to fulfill work search requirements beginning June 6, 2021. All existing claimants will be required over the next several weeks to register with a jobseeker account on NCWorks.gov.

The Order also directs the N.C. Department of Commerce to explore opportunities, consistent with federal law and through the use of certain federal funds, to establish a reemployment incentive program for jobless workers who find and maintain employment.

Today’s action expands upon Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 200, which reinstated work search requirements for new claimants after March 14, 2021. As North Carolina makes progress on its key COVID-19 metrics, the work search requirements will now apply to everyone currently filing for unemployment benefits.

Under the Order:

  • Claimants must make contact with at least three different employers each week and keep a record of their work search, as is required by state law. One of the three weekly job contacts can be satisfied by attending an approved reemployment activity offered by a NCWorks Career Center or a partnering agency.
  • To continue receiving benefits, all unemployment claimants will be required to register with a jobseeker account on NCWorks.gov, North Carolina’s online portal for employment and training services. Jobseekers can use NCWorks.gov to search and apply for jobs, access labor market information and find opportunities for workforce training. Over the next several weeks, existing claimants will receive notifications about registering for NCWorks.

Since the start of the pandemic, North Carolina has distributed more than $11.7 billion in unemployment benefits across multiple state and federal programs. Approximately 245,000 North Carolinians are currently receiving benefit payments each week.

For work search assistance in North Carolina, jobseekers can contact NCWorks at NCWorks.gov or 1-855-NCWorks. Information about unemployment benefits can be found at des.nc.gov.

Read the Order.

Vance County Schools Superintendent Resigning July 2 For New Job

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– Vance County Schools Press Release – 

Vance County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Jackson, has announced his resignation, after six years of service to the district. Jackson describes his time in Vance County Schools as “the most amazing and professionally fulfilling of my entire career.”

During Jackson’s time with VCS, the district has improved student outcomes, consolidated schools, increased the on-time graduation rate, decreased long-term suspensions and dropout rates, along with, developed a new strategic plan, implemented a digital 1:1 program, started the Arts Alive talent showcase, redesigned innovative programs, launched the new Vance County Center for Innovation, and most importantly, consistently given this community reasons to be Vance County Schools Proud.

Jackson expressed his gratitude for the educators in Vance County being committed to the vision, goals and beliefs of the district. He shared, “We have made tremendous inroads and I firmly believe that the school system is positioned to continue serving as a model of innovation and an engine for growth for our entire community.”

Dr. Jackson’s last day with the district will be July 2, 2021, as he has accepted the position of Superintendent in the Chatham County School System, in Pittsboro, beginning July 2021. The Vance County Board of Education will soon meet to begin the process of identifying the district’s next leader.

Spring Recycling Event Diverts 22,000 Pounds of Materials To Proper Disposal

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The annual Spring Clean Out and Collection Event May 15 netted more than 22,000 pounds of material – from shredded paper to ammunition. That’s 11 tons of stuff that will not languish on a tractor barn shelf, be stacked in a storage shed in the backyard or clutter up someone’s garage. Granville County’s Environmental Services Department hosted the event, held at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, and event organizer Teresa Baker said she appreciated everyone’s efforts to make the event a success.

Baker, who is recycling and sustainability coordinator for Granville County and for Granville County Public Schools, said the event went smoothly, thanks to volunteers who removed items from vehicles at the drive-through event, to the vendors who were on hand to accept the items and safely dispose of them.

Vendors included Veolia, Shred Ace, RMR Recycling, the N.C. Department of Agriculture/Pesticides Division, Recency Technologies, DART Containers, the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and Interstate Batteries.

Here is a breakdown of materials that were collected:

  • Shredded paper: 5,460 pounds
  • Latex paint: 5,000 pounds (6 pallets)
  • Electronics: 4,132 pounds
  • Oil-based paint: 2,000 pounds
  • Books: 1,720 pounds
  • Pesticides: 1,624 pounds
  • Toxic compounds: 1,000 pounds
  • Flammable compounds: 1,000 pounds
  • Aerosols: 420 pounds
  • Fluorescent lamps: 150 pounds
  • Outdated prescriptions: 110 pounds
  • Ammunition: 25 pounds
  • Mercury devices: 5 pounds
  • Polystyrene: 1,000 pieces
  • Car/vehicle batteries: 30
  • Household batteries: Three (3) five-gallon buckets
  • Power tool batteries: One (1) pallet

“These numbers reflect thousands of pounds of materials that will not be harming our environment,” Baker said. “Thanks to the vendors who were on site, the many volunteers who came to help, and all the residents who participated by bringing items to the Expo Center.”

Consider Donating to Local Organizations on Behalf of Letter Carriers

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The swift completion of appointed rounds sometimes involves more than just the day’s work. Sometimes there’s not only the extra effort that it takes to complete the appointed task, but also the extra tasks you decide to take on.

For local letter carriers in the Henderson area and beyond, one of those extra tasks has been for years to collect food for local organizations. Last year this effort was cancelled due to covid, and it is cancelled this year as well.

But maybe it isn’t. It depends on you.

As a well-known and loved local carrier, Rob Barker, writes to WIZS, “For many years around this time the Letter Carriers throughout the country have held their annual Letter Carriers Food Drive where carriers collect food throughout their day and then it is distributed among several local organizations.”

Despite the official effort being cancelled this year, Barker wrote, “We know however that these organizations still need help.”

He is asking if you will take it upon yourself to get in touch with these organizations and possibly donate food and/or some money to them.

Listed in the letter are: United Way; ACTS; The Salvation Army; ARC; Hope House.

“We greatly appreciate your help in the past and look forward to it again in years to come,” Barker wrote.

As you complete your appointed rounds, please consider a food or monetary donation to one of these organizations — for the good it will do for the recipients, for the good it will do you, and for the good will on behalf of the ones who are deterred neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night.

Vance County Schools Receives State Inspection of Buses

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– press release – 

Vance County Schools transportation department recently received their annual bus inspection from the state. In the process, inspectors assign point values to violations, meaning a low score is the desired outcome. During the inspection, the state thoroughly examined 10-percent of the school system’s bus fleet.

This year, Vance County Schools achieved a score of 22.43. Since 2017, Vance County Schools continues to improve their inspection score, performing at a level better than the state average.

Mr. David Cooper, VCS Transportation Director, shared “I am very proud of our mechanics, who on a daily basis ensure our buses are safe and running properly. We are elated that one of our buses had a perfect score. Our department strives daily to put the safety of our students and bus drivers as our number one priority.”

Vance County Schools is extremely proud of the attention to detail as our transportation department maintains our fleet. When our buses are well cared for and maintained, we know our students are utilizing the safest form of transportation.

Checkpoint Stops Drugs; Suspect Arrested

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— Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame Press Release

On Monday, May 17, 2021 at approximately 11 p.m., a driver’s license checkpoint was conducted by The North Carolina State Highway Patrol with the assistance of The Vance County Sheriff’s Office. During that checkpoint, law enforcement was able to intercept what was believed to be a delivery of heroin within the Vance County community.

Law enforcement seized approximately 1,650 bags of heroin and a small amount of marijuana.  The heroin seized is believed to have an estimated street value of $8,000 to $10,000.

Deandre Shaquille Hudson, age 27, a resident of Vance County, was arrested and charged with:

  • 3 counts of trafficking heroin (possession, manufacture and transport)
  • Maintain dwelling/vehicle place for controlled substance
  • Possession of marijuana

Hudson was placed in the Vance County Detention Center under a $306,000.00 secured bond with a court date of June 14, 2021.

This investigation is still ongoing.

The Local Skinny! Retha White MPH May Employee Of Month

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Thank you for listening to WIZS Radio, Your Community Voice!

Retha White represents the mission and vision of Maria Parham Health according to CEO Bert Beard.  And he says he’s proud to see White honored for her daily commitment.

He said, “She always come to work and uplifts those around her and does the same for patients.”

White’s extra efforts paid off when a struggling patient was ultimately discharged.

Enjoy this audio of our latest “The Local Skinny!” broadcast from May 20th.