Granville Board of Education Approves Changes to Elementary Attendance Zones

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 4, 2019, the Granville County Board of Education approved changes to the attendance zones of the northern area elementary schools. The changes impact school assignments for students living in the Joe Toler Oak Hill, West Oxford, and Stovall Shaw Elementary School attendance zones. This action became necessary after the Board decided to close Joe Toler Oak Hill Elementary School (JTOH) at their January 2019 meeting.

The Board reviewed three different options that were drafted by staff. Ultimately, the Board chose the option that will potentially best minimize route times for students, and be most efficient for the bus fleet serving that area. These new boundaries will go into effect beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

Dr. Stan Winborne, Executive Director of Operations, Human Resources, Communications and Safety, presented maps, charts and a hypothetical route analysis to Board Members in an effort to provide as much information as possible about ride times and pick-up and drop-off times for students. Also included was information pertaining to the number of buses needed and total miles covered, all of which can impact the efficiency of the transportation department, which in turn impacts the department’s budget.

“Ultimately, the Board chose the option which was best for students.  While we cannot completely forecast the exact times and bus routes for next year with the information we have currently, we can plan for new attendance boundaries which have the least likelihood for long routes for students early in the morning, and late in the evening”, explained Dr. Winborne.

The approved new boundaries assign the majority of students in the current JTOH attendance zone to Stovall Shaw Elementary School. The remaining current south-west portion of the JTOH attendance zone will now be assigned to West Oxford Elementary School, which is closer in proximity to that school. (see map below)

Superintendent McLean offered her perspective on the matter, stating, “We want the shortest bus rides possible for our young students. With a county as large geographically as Granville, this poses a challenge for our transportation department. I believe the option approved by our Board will work well given our resources. However, one thing that is important to remember for our families living in the current JOTH attendance zone is that for next school year, they really do have a choice to attend whichever elementary school best suits their child. Our choice programs allow for this, and we plan to provide bus shuttle services based on the enrollment needs in our schools.”

Under the Choice Program, families may choose to have their children attend any elementary school in the district. Currently, each elementary school has its own theme or academic focus which designates it as a “choice” school. Door to door bus transportation is only provided to families within the designated attendance zone, however, the district does offer a series of bus shuttle services to assist with transportation in different parts of the county for families taking advantage of the choice program.

Parents, guardians, family members and members of the community may review detailed maps, and lists of addresses in the new attendance zones on the district website under the Transportation Department page.  If you have questions about a specific address, you may contact your child’s school or contact the Transportation Department at (919) 693-6412 or contact Ms. Cindy Fain by email at fainc@gcs.k12.nc.us.

West End Baptist

West End Baptist Men to Sponsor Fish Fry Fundraiser at 220 Seafood

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-Information courtesy Jerry Parrish, West End Baptist Church

The Baptist Men of West End Baptist Church in Henderson will be sponsoring a Trout Fish Fry Fundraiser to support our local ministries on Monday, March 18, 2019, from 4 until 7 p.m. at the 220 Seafood Restaurant located at 1812 Norlina Rd. in Henderson.

Plates will include trout, cole slaw, french fries and hush puppies for $7 per plate. Eat in or take out (beverage provided with eat in meals only).

All proceeds will be used to support our local ministries, which include ACTS, Lifeline Ministries, Rebuilding Hope, GRACE Ministries and many others.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from any West End Baptist Church member. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Spring Valley United Methodist to Hold Pancake Supper Fundraiser

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-Information courtesy Rusty Renshaw, Spring Valley United Methodist Men 

A Pancake Supper fundraiser will be held by Spring Valley United Methodist Men at Spring Valley United Methodist Church, 955 Spring Valley Road in Henderson, on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Cost is $7 each for the pancake supper, which also includes sausage. Eat in or take out. A drink will be provided for those that eat in.

Granville County Logo

Third Rabid Raccoon Reported in Granville Co. This Year!

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-Information courtesy the Granville County Government Facebook Page

Granville County Animal Control reports the pickup of a raccoon near the area of Rock Bottom Road, Needham Drive and Bob Daniel Road. The raccoon was picked up on Saturday, March 2, 2019, and has tested positive for rabies. It was reported to have been in a pasture with livestock.

Animal Control officers are in the process of posting notices on homes in the area. All pet owners are urged to ensure rabies vaccinations on dogs, cats and ferrets are up-to-date, as required by North Carolina law.

The Granville County Animal Shelter, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, provides one-year rabies vaccines for only $6. Call (919) 693-6749 for details.

Causey, Insurance Comm./State Fire Marshal, Talks Recent Vance County Visit

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North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss his recent visit to various volunteer fire departments in Vance County.

Causey, who visited the Watkins, Bearpond, Epsom and Hicksboro volunteer fire departments on February 28, said it was a pleasure to make his first official visit to Vance County since taking office in January of 2017.

During his day-long visit, Causey presented grant checks for needed improvements, congratulated departments on their improved insurance ratings and discussed efforts to modernize the insurance industry with Joel T. Cheatham Insurance and Jeffrey Ayscue Allstate Agency representatives.

According to a press release from the NC Department of Insurance, Causey presented ceremonial grant checks in the following amounts: Watkins Community Volunteer Fire Department ($29,752); Epsom Fire Department ($11,572); Hicksboro Volunteer Fire Department ($29,765) and Bearpond Volunteer Fire Department ($5,893).

Causey reported that all NC fire department inspections are up-to-date, a feat that he said was accomplished by increasing the number of department inspectors from five to eight.

Prior to his taking office, some fire departments had not been inspected for 25+ years, according to Causey. “You want a department to be inspected, ideally, every five years. Since hiring more inspectors in 2017, we don’t have a single fire department that is backlogged.”

Two of the fire departments on Causey’s Vance County tour – Bearpond and Epsom – recently received improved fire ratings following inspections. Achieving a better rating can result in lowered insurance rates for businesses and homeowners in that fire district.

“Bearpond and Epsom have some real fine buildings; the people are first-class, dedicated firefighters,” said Causey. “It’s easy to see they’ve done the things they needed to do, including mutual aid agreements, to bring their fire rating up.”

When questioned on the national and state-wide trend of decreasing volunteerism, Causey replied, “It’s becoming harder to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters, that’s why you are seeing some departments going to a paid/volunteer combination. We are doing as much as we can at the state level to help the counties and volunteer departments.”

Causey’s trip followed a recent 4-3 vote by the Vance County Board of Commissioners to move ahead with a fire restructuring plan that includes funding paid part-time positions in the County’s volunteer fire departments.

“Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of fire departments across this nation. Across the state, 70% of firefighters are strictly volunteer,” Causey explained.

Junior firefighter programs aimed at getting the younger generation interested in firefighting is the best way to ensure the future of the business, according to Causey. “More and more high schools across the state are offering cadet programs for junior firefighters. Firefighters also go into elementary schools to get children interested.”

In the long run, Causey said the success of a fire department all comes down to the people involved. “You can have the best equipment, the most modern, up-to-date technology, but if you don’t have dedicated, committed people, it’s not going to work. I met good, dedicated people in Vance County.”

A Word of Thanks From the Family of Margaret Ellis

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-Letter courtesy Ericka M. Ellis-Stewart – granddaughter of Margaret Ellis

To the Community of Vance County, North Carolina,

We, the family of Margaret Alston Ellis, would like to thank each of you (friends, extended family, and members of the public) for all your acts of kindness and bravery as you helped reunite us on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Many of you assisted by using social media to spread the word, or offered words of encouragement. We have heard stories where some of you organized (to assist with the) search parties and drove around looking for her. This community truly came together in support of one of your own.

We are especially grateful to Ms. Vicky Marshall of Robersonville, NC for alerting the Greenville Police Department (GDP) that Margaret was in the TJ Max/Harris Teeter parking lot. We thank the first responders (Henderson Police Department and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office) who took our calls, calmed us down, and issued a statewide Silver Alert, and GPD Officer Terence Daltroff for being first on the scene and confirming her identity. The Henderson Police Department and Vance County Sheriff’s Office worked diligently with law enforcement from other counties enlisting their help in locating a treasured Vance County community member. Finally, we thank the various media outlets, the National Center for Missing and Endangered, and the NC Center for Missing Persons for helping to make the public aware.

As many of you know by now Margaret was found, unharmed, in Greenville, NC and has since been reunited with her family. Please know we are grateful for all the thoughts, prayers, and acts of kindness as we went through the process of locating and reuniting with our loved one.

Thank You!

The Family of Margaret Alston Ellis

Vehicle Access Across John H. Kerr Dam Restricted March 11-22

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-Press Release, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wilmington District, announced that the road across the John H. Kerr Dam will restrict vehicular traffic beginning on March 11 through March 22, 2019. All vehicles should follow the posted detour signs.

The restricted access is a necessary precaution to ensure public safety until the staff can perform maintenance and repairs to the bridge across the dam.

Many motorists use the John H. Kerr Road in their daily commutes across the Kerr Dam, and the restriction may add to their travel time. Signs located at each end of the road are in place to notify the public of its restricted accessibility of traffic.

For more information contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers John H. Kerr Powerhouse at 434-738-6633.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market Announces 2019 Advisory Board Meeting Dates

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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties, NC Cooperative Extension

The Advisory Board for the Vance County Regional Farmers Market was established in early 2014 for the purpose of making recommendations for the operation, promotion, support and growth of the Market. The Board generally has four meetings each year, all of which are open to the public. The Board is always glad to receive comments from the public.

This year (2019), the Board will meet on the following dates: March 14, May 2, August 1 and November 7. Each of these meetings will convene at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market at 2 p.m. The address is 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC

For more information, please contact either of the following: Tracy Madigan, Market Manager (tmadigan@vancecounty.org or 252-598-0814) or Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent (paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or 252-438-8188).

Plank Chapel UMC to Hold Chicken Dinner Fundraiser for Youth

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-Information courtesy Carolyn Roy, Plank Chapel United Methodist Church 

Plank Chapel United Methodist Church will have a Grilled Chicken Dinner fundraiser on Saturday, March 16, 2019, from 5 – 7 p.m.  This event is a youth fundraiser for BASIC UMYF – a group of youth from Plank Chapel and Rehoboth that have been in ministry together for four years.

Plates are $8.00 each – eat in or take out. Dinner includes 1/2 chicken, boiled potatoes, green beans, hush puppies, drinks (for those who eat in) and dessert.

The dinner will be held at Plank Chapel UMC, 3047 Bobbitt Road, Kittrell, NC. Reserving plates can be done through Plank Chapel’s Facebook Page.

Granville Co. Board of Education Member Toney Smith Resigns

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education held their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 4, 2019.  After the conclusion of official business items on the agenda, Board Member Toney Smith announced his retirement effective immediately, stating,  “After careful consideration and much thought, I have decided to relinquish my position as Board of Education member effective immediately. The demands of my professional career simply prevent me from participating to the extent that is needed. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve the children of this district, and I appreciate all of the hard work of our talented educators. I wish everyone the very best.”

Granville County Board of Education member Toney Smith announced his resignation at the Board’s March 4 meeting. Smith has served the constituents of District 1 for 11 years as a member of the Board of Education, having been re-elected for the position in 2014. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

Mr. Toney Smith has served the constituents of District 1 for 11 years as a member of the Board of Education, having been re-elected for the position in 2014.  Mr. Smith’s tenure as a Board Member can be characterized as student-focused, with an emphasis on the equitable distribution of resources throughout the district.

Fellow Board Members, Superintendent McLean, and Senior Staff all praised Mr. Smith for his service, citing his love and compassion for students and public education. Dr. McLean shared her thoughts, stating, “During my tenure as Superintendent, Mr. Smith has always demonstrated sincere concern about issues around equity and fairness for all (both with students and adults) in the district – and I, not only respected but genuinely appreciated that.  It has been a joy working with him.”

Fellow Board Members also expressed their gratitude. Mr. David Richardson, Vice Chairman, presided over the meeting in the absence of Chairman Tom Houlihan. Mr. Richardson offered these thoughts, “Granville County Public Schools’ students have benefited from Mr. Smith’s service. We as a board have also benefited from his candor and common-sense approach to making decisions on behalf of the district. We wish him well and hope he continues to stay involved on behalf of our community.”

The Board will continue with six members until a replacement for District 1 is appointed. The replacement will serve until the next scheduled election for his seat, which will begin serving for the term of 2020. The Board will begin discussing the appointment process at their next regular meeting on April 1, 2019.