Veteran School Leaders Appointed To New Roles At August Board of Education Meeting

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– Information from Vance County Schools Chief Officer of Accountability, Research & Communication Aarika Sandlin

The Vance County Board of Education has appointed Rey Horner as assistant superintendent of Auxiliary and Student Services and Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson as chief officer of Academics and Federal Programs.

Horner and Batchelor-Crosson will begin their new roles immediately, according to information from VCS Chief Officer of Accountability, Research & Communication Aarika Sandlin.

A native of Henderson and Vance Sr. High School graudate, Horner earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology from N.C. A &T State University and a Master’s degree in School Administration from Western Carolina University.

Horner’s career with Vance County Schools began in 1997 as a high school science teacher at Southern Vance High School. Throughout his career, he has served the district in a variety of leadership roles, including testing coordinator, assistant principal, Interim Director of AVID, principal of STEM Early High School, Southern Vance High School, and Vance County High School and most recently served as chief officer of Student Services.

As Assistant Superintendent of Auxiliary and Student Services, Horner will provide leadership and oversight in areas that support the district’s schools, students and overall operations including maintenance and transportation. His extensive experience in instruction, school administration, student support and district leadership will position him to advance the district’s commitment to providing students and staff with the resources and services they need to succeed.

With nearly three decades of experience in education and a deep connection to Vance County Schools, Horner brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership and experience to his new role. The district is confident that his expertise and commitment to students will be valuable assets as he leads the Auxiliary and Student Services teams. Horner shared, “I  am honored to serve Vance County Schools in this new capacity. Having spent my career in this district, I look forward to supporting our students, staff, and schools, building on the great work already underway.”

In her new role as chief officer of Academics & Federal Programs, Batchelor-Crosson will provide leadership and strategic direction for instructional initiatives and federal programs across the district. In this role, she will use her experience in teaching, school administration, instructional leadership and federal programs to support student achievement and help strengthen schools.

With an undergraduate degree from Fayetteville State University and both a Master’s and Doctorate from the University of Phoenix, Batchelor-Crosson also holds certifications in Elementary Education K-6 and School Administration.

Beginning her career in education in 2002 as a teacher at Pinkston Street Elementary, Since beginning her career in 2002 as a teacher at Pinkston Street Elementary, Batchelor-Crosson went on to lead the school’s 21st Century Community Learning Center. She later served as an assistant principal in Vance County Schools before returning to Pinkston Street Elementary as principal. She was named Vance County Schools Principal of the Year in 2022 and then served as the director of Elementary Education and Federal Programs, where she provided leadership in the oversight of federally funded programs designed to support student success, as well as support to the district’s elementary schools.

With a career spanning more than two decades and a commitment to instructional excellence, school leadership, and equitable opportunities for students, Batchelor-Crosson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing the district’s instructional priorities, strengthening federal program initiatives, and ensuring schools have the resources and support needed to help every student thrive. She shared, “I am honored to serve Vance County Schools in this new capacity. I look forward to working alongside our schools and staff to strengthen instruction, support student success, and ensure our federal programs continue to provide meaningful opportunities for every student.”

The superintendent welcomed Horner and Batchelor-Crosson into their new leadership roles. “Both bring a deep understanding of Vance County Schools, a strong commitment to our students and staff, and years of proven leadership experience. Their knowledge of our schools and communities, combined with their dedication to student success, will be invaluable as we continue to move our district forward. I am confident that their leadership will strengthen our work in instruction, federal programs, operations, and student services, and I look forward to the positive impact they will have across our school system,” she said.

As part of these leadership changes, Batchelor-Crosson and Mr. Horner will assume expanded responsibilities while building upon their existing leadership roles. Batchelor-Crosson will add oversight of Instruction to her existing leadership of Federal Programs, responsibilities previously held by Ross-Putney. Horner will expand his current district leadership responsibilities to include Auxiliary and Student Services following the recent retirement of the chief of Operations.

Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Young Farmers Program

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Applications are being accepted now for high students who are interested in participating in a Young Farmers Program that will introduce them to farming over the course of 12 weeks that includes some traditional classroom time, some hands-on time with the soil and learning about what farming in the 21st century can look like.

N.C. Cooperative Extension Agent Michael Ellington said tomorrow’s farmers may not resemble the traditional image we think of when we think of someone who plants, cultivates, harvests and sells farm products.

Over the next couple of decades, Vance County could expect to lose as much as 45 percent of farmland to residential development, Ellington said.

And with the average age of a farmer right at 58 years, it’s an aging profession.

The Young Farmers Program is designed to help young people curious about agriculture explore the possibilities of a farming career.

The program includes a look at the entire agriculture system, and participants will learn about soil health, farm economics and more before taking that knowledge and working with it – literally.

They’ll spend some hands-on time in the community garden at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, cultivate their plants and even have a chance to sell their crops.

Ellington said there will be a mentorship piece that pairs participants with local producers to foster a greater understanding for farming and all its benefits.

Tomorrow’s farmers are going to be innovators, Ellington said. “They’re going to be growing more in smaller spaces, hyper-local producers that are serving their own neighbors first. They’re probably going to be early adopters of cutting-edge technology to maximize efficiency and greater yield and profit.

Whether you decide to keep chickens in the backyard and sell eggs or use raised beds for vegetables instead of planting acres of row crops, Ellington said there is no single pathway – or wrong pathway – into the industry of agriculture.

Farmers often express a great deal of job satisfaction, purpose and a real sense of pride that isn’t found in many careers or livelihoods.

Ellington said the Young Farmers Program will help keep that excitement and momentum alive by investing in youth who will inherit this area.

Please contact the Vance County Cooperative Extension office at 252.438. 8188 to learn more.

Visit go.ncsu.edu/youngfarmers to learn more about registering for this program

Extension Technician Wayne Rowland is leading a fall vegetable workshop on Aug. 17. Learn more at https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/event/eb/15491/

 

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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City Council Tables Vote On Opioid Advisory Board Members

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The Henderson City Council tabled Monday action on appointment of an opioid advisory board.

Interim City Manager Kendrick Vann provided Council members names of seven individuals who had expressed interest in being a part of the board, but some Council members had concerns about all wards not being represented.

Council member Geraldine Champion said there should be a representative from each of the city’s four wards and also said she’d like to see individuals with “life experience” with overcoming opioid use.

Mayor Melissa Elliott agreed. “I think it’s imperative that we have at least one person on that board who has overcome” opioid addiction.

The council decided it was best to table a vote on individual applicants because they didn’t know which wards some of them live in. One applicant lives in the county.

Vann said the call for advisory board members would go back out into the community; the wording of the CAF will need to be changed to reflect the council’s desire to have balanced ward representation, since that was not originally specified.

Once established, the opioid advisory board will assist the council in decisions about how to spend the allocations from the multi-billion-dollar opioid settlement.

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Vance Commissioners, County Attorney Discuss Process For 60-Day Moratorium

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners agreed by consensus Monday to start the process of putting in place a 60-day moratorium as it relates to the possibility of a proposed data center.

During the special called meeting Monday afternoon, County Attorney Jonathan Care walked commissioners through a series of legal steps the board must consider, which includes how a required legislative hearing to hear public comment must be advertised.

A moratorium of less than 60 days requires a minimum 7-day notice to the public before a legislative hearing can take place; a moratorium longer than 60 days is treated like a proposed ordinance and must be published twice at particular intervals before the hearing takes place.

The plan is to have the legislative hearing at the board’s regular September meeting, with additional discussion on Aug. 25 when the planning board and commissioners will have their next joint work session on the UDO.

The meeting, lasted about 40 minutes, began with Care’s review of numerous statutes and regulations for commissioners to keep in mind as they consider the ongoing data center debate.

By law, Care said, the commissioners must clearly identify four specific areas to satisfy the requirements necessary to put a moratorium in place, including a statement of the problems and conditions, the development approvals that would be subject to the moratorium, a date for termination of the moratorium and a statement of actions and schedule of actions that the county will undertake during the moratorium.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt said he would support a 60-day moratorium, a comment that was met with vocal disapproval from residents in attendance.

Commissioners Leo Kelly and Yolanda Feimster each stated that 60 days wasn’t long enough.

Feimster said, “It’s only fair that the community have the ability to voice their opinions.” Before making a “decision of this magnitude,” she added, she’d like commissioners to have as much information as possible so that they can make the right decision.

Brummitt recalled the recent joint planning board meeting with commissioners to discuss the unified development ordinance. At that meeting, he proposed that the group start their discussions with the section dealing with data centers with the goal of making a text amendment that could be put in place more quickly than the UDO.

“I believe that right now, we are vulnerable to with our current ordinance,” Brummitt said. He said he would support a moratorium “as long as we proceed with the text amendment. The moratorium that I would recommend would be a 60-day moratorium.”

Kelly said although he favors a 6-month moratorium, he’s willing to come to the table to discuss it.

Commissioner Tommy Hester asked whether the moratorium could be extended if the county determined it needed more time, and Care said the county would not be prohibited from extending it.

Hester suggested that the county start with a 60-day moratorium first and extend it if the process will require more time to complete.

It was unclear which commissioners expressed agreement with the 60-day moratorium since no vote was taken.

The Local Skinny! KVA Volleyball Tournament Coming Aug. 14th & 15th

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In the month or so since he’s been Kerr-Vance Academy’s athletic director, Mike Ramel has been busy getting oriented to his new job, making connections on campus and in the community.

And while students and their families were welcomed back to campus Monday for a back-to-school event in advance of Wednesday’s first day of class for students, Ramel is dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on this weekend’s volleyball tournament, hosted at KVA.

Fall sports practices began last week, Ramel said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny! With cross country, golf, soccer and volleyball cranking up, Ramel’s got a lot on his plate.

But first up is the KVA Invitational, which includes eight games on Friday, Aug. 14 and 12 games on Saturday, Aug. 15

“This will set the tone, for sure,” Ramel said of the tournament, which he billed as an action-packed weekend of competitive volleyball. It’s an early-season opportunity to compete with some local teams and others from a little farther away.

The tournament will begin with pool play and continues with a championship bracket and a consolation bracket.

Teams from Henderson Collegiate and Crossroads Christian will make the short drive to KVA’s Crawford Gym; other teams include KIPP Pride Littleton, Lighthouse, Excelsior, Carolina Collegiate and Triangle Math and Science, Ramel said.

He hopes having a good blend of local teams promotes good attendance – he’d love to see folks fill the stands.

“It makes it fun for the kids,” he said.

Visit https://www.kerrvance.com/ to find a complete schedule and pairings for the KVA Invitational.

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TownTalk: Dr. Destiney Ross-Putney Embraces New Role as VCS Superintendent

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As the newest superintendent of Vance County Schools, Dr. Destiney Ross-Putney most likely is feeling some of the same things that her predecessors felt as the beginning of a new school year approaches: excitement for what lies ahead, mixed with a little bit of apprehension, well, for what lies ahead.

But like all good educators, Ross-Putney is prepared. She’s prepared for what she knows is headed her way, whether it’s student achievement, measuring proficiency growth or supporting teachers with professional development.

And just like good teachers have good lesson plans, Ross-Putney said she’s laid out five tenets to prioritize as she embarks in her role leading Vance County Schools.

In what she calls her “entry plan,” Ross-Putney said she’s going to be hyper-focused during these first 100 days as superintendent.

The first tenet centers around “listening, learning and building trust” to engage stakeholders. She plans to meet with local government officials, faith-based leaders and businesspeople across Vance County.

It’s a way to strengthen existing relationships, but it’s also about visibility.

“Visibility is key,” she said on Monday’s TownTalk.

“Our district, and our county, is small enough that we can really reap the benefits of connecting,” she said. “Those exchanges are really powerful.”

Part of that connection comes through collaboration, whether it’s among community partners or within the school district offices.

The other tenets include building leadership capacity, having a centralized online hub for teachers to access any form, document or policy they may need and school safety and school climate and teaching and learning.

Ross-Putney points to the district’s SPARK NC program as one innovative way to engage students that also allows them a chance to explore fields from agriculture to cyber security through a series of modules that can lead to high school credits.

“This is the type of learning our students need,” she said. In a nutshell, students choose modules and earn a credit when they’ve successfully completed six modules.

If they like the topic, great. If they don’t, they can choose another without penalty.

Now, VCS is offering a second level of SPARK and has been able to bring in an additional teacher because of SPARK’s success.

“It gives them the opportunity to pivot without being punitive,” she said. It fits the student and their style of learning.

It’s important for today’s students to “own” the progress they make, setting goals for proficiency. Ross-Putney said the district established this philosophy last year, but it’s one that she wants to continue.

“We all have an individual journey,” Ross-Putney said. “There’s so much beauty in that diversity.” There are so many pathways available for students to explore and the superintendent is keen to make sure that educators teach students the skills that allow them to adapt to changing environments and use critical-thinking skills for successful outcomes.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Collards

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Collards can be easily grown in the fall garden.Cooperative Extension has excellent publications on how to grow collards.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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New Hope Precinct Voters Move To Townsville VFD

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Vance County residents registered to vote at the New Hope precinct will have the Townsville Fire Department as their polling place for all future elections.

The Vance County Board of Elections posted this information on social media recently, stating that voter notification cards reflecting the change also were mailed out on July 30.

New Hope Elementary was one of two schools closed at the end of the 2025-26 school year. The Townsville Fire Department is located at 12729 N.C. Hwy. 39, about 2.7 miles north of New Hope Elementary School.

Questions? Contact the board of elections at 252.492.3730.