Applications for Special Learning Opportunities in Vance County Schools 2018-2019
Applications for Special Learning Opportunities in Vance County Schools 2018-2019
— courtesy Vance County Schools
Applications for students to enroll in the Vance County Early College High School for the 2018-2019 school year are being accepted now, while applications for STEM Early High School and the STEAM Academy at E.M. Rollins Elementary School for 2018-2019 will be accepted beginning February 12.
The applications for Early College can be obtained from counselors at our middle schools, on the Early College website and at the school located on the third floor of Building 2 on the campus of Vance-Granville Community College. The deadline for receiving the applications is Friday, February 16.
Applications for STEM and E.M. Rollins will be accepted from February 12 to March 12. During the open window period, applications will be available on each schools’ website and at the schools.
Student applications for STEM and E.M. Rollins also will be available at the Innovative Schools Student Recruitment Expo scheduled for Thursday, February 22, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Vance County Schools Administrative Services Center at 1724 Graham Avenue.
Interested persons should call the schools with any questions regarding the application process.
Dr. Anthony Jackson’s School Consolidation Proposal
— from Vance County Schools
As coverage continues of the Vance County Schools consolidation proposal, continued public input is wanted. If you would like to see the PowerPoint presentation from Dr. Anthony Jackson on the school consolidation proposal, it is now posted on the school system’s website.
PowerPoint presentation from Dr. Anthony Jackson – click here
Vance County Schools Re-Consolidation: What the Public Is Saying As of Jan 31, 2018
— by Jeff Jenkins, WIZS
Anyone in Vance County who has read the Daily Dispatch or listened to WIZS for the past three weeks already knows that the Vance County School Board is considering a proposal from Superintendent Anthony Jackson to consolidate the County’s two Middle Schools and two High Schools into one Middle School and one High School. When they received Dr. Jackson’s detailed proposal, the School Board immediately called for public reaction to the possible consolidation and set up a number of community gatherings for the public to express their support or opposition, questions and concerns. In addition to these meetings, citizens have been encouraged to e-mail feedback directly to central office.
WIZS has been discussing this issue – on the air during Sports Mayhem with Kemp Collins and on Town Talk – ever since the news broke on January 9, and WIZS news staff have attended some of the meetings and corresponded with the VCS central office. Some of what we found out is included in the posting on our website dated January 30 (click here); but what has the public been saying? Here is a brief summary of what we at WIZS have seen, heard and been told over the past three weeks:
Transportation, or “busing” of students — At the public gatherings, the VCS staff members have pointed out that, because of the small size of our county, and the fact that the two middle schools and two high schools are already lie within about 3 miles of each other, no middle or high school student would have travel more than a mile or two farther than he or she already does.
Teachers or staff losing their jobs — Even people who favor the consolidation in general are concerned about staff cutbacks, which seems logical, if there are two schools instead of four. But Dr. Jackson and his staff have made it clear that one of the reasons for recommending these big changes is that positions have been cut every year anyway, and that they have to recruit teachers every year to fill vacancies. They therefore expect that the 44 middle and high school positions to be cut as a result of consolidation would result in reassignment of duties, rather than layoffs of individual employees.
WHICH schools will be left vacant and which ones will house the “new” consolidated schools — VCS seems pretty far from deciding that. Dr. Jackson has shown each of the public gatherings calculations based on all the possible options, and how much money would be saved in each scenario. In terms of size, Henderson Middle School, with a room for 819 students, would come closest to accommodating the 826 estimated middle school students, without expansion of mobile classrooms, while Southern Vance’s 1475-student capacity could best handle the estimated 1329 high schoolers.
What do Dr. Jackson and the Board mean when they say that “all the money saved through consolidation would be put right back into the schools . . .” — Part of Dr. Jackson’s presentation at the public gatherings has included a sample “repurpose budget” for the $2.4 million per year expected to be saved by consolidation. In his example, he showed $200,000 per year extra going toward scheduled maintenance of buildings and equipment, and $500,000 for a “rainy day fund” for sudden, big-ticket repairs. Perhaps even more important, is the $200,000 that could be used to increase the long-standing $2,500 per year flat local supplement for our teachers, which is too low to keep our younger teachers from jumping to neighboring counties who offer two or three times as much. Finally, $200,000 per year extra appears on the “sample budget” for athletics at the two consolidated schools, along with an additional $100,000 per year for band and other music programs.
And speaking of sports — a majority of the feedback WIZS has heard is very positive toward consolidated high school sports teams, in light of the struggle both high schools have had fielding football teams, soccer teams, softball teams, JV teams of all kinds, and full marching bands. The idea of a consolidated Vance County high school returning to the athletic glory days as a competitive 3A or 4A power seems to fire the imagination of some “more mature” citizens.
The emotional factors were represented in the concerns voiced by some parents that their children, especially high school juniors and seniors would have difficulty making the change, in light of the rivalry, sometimes intense and negative, between NVHS and SVHS. The VCS staff members present at the gatherings have tried to address those concerns by pointing out that plans would be made for shifting the “new culture” of the consolidated schools away from existing school identities by team-building exercises and involvement of the students in choosing new team names, mascots, and colors.
Consolidation Conversations Well Underway for Vance Co. Middle and High Schools
By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire
Community conversations regarding the potential consolidation of Henderson and Eaton-Johnson Middle Schools and Northern Vance and Southern Vance High Schools began last Thursday, January 25 and continue through the end of February.
The Vance County Board of Education, Superintendent Anthony Jackson and school system staff are seeking community input on the potential of consolidating both middle schools and high schools as a result of declining student enrollment across the district and to increase financial sustainability.
The proposal includes consolidating Henderson Middle and Eaton-Johnson Middle School for the 2018-19 school year and Northern Vance and Southern Vance High School for the 2019-20 school year.
According to Terri Hedrick, public information officer for Vance County Schools, there is no current plan of which particular school buildings would be closed by this consolidation. “All plans, including which school buildings would remain in use, are open for discussion. Nothing is set in stone. No final decisions have been made,” said Hedrick.
At the January 8 board meeting, it was reported that enrollment in Vance County Schools has continued to decline, from 6,848 students for the 2012-13 school year to 5,980 students in the current 2017-18 year.
According to Hedrick, this decline in numbers is due to multiple factors including the increased number of choices when it comes to education. “Students and parents have more choices as to where they attend school in Vance County. This includes private schools, charter schools and home schooling. Students can also go outside of the county to attend charter or private schools as well,” said Hedrick.
In addition to the increased number of educational choices outside of the public school system, research has shown Dr. Jackson and his staff that birth rates in Vance County have been declining in the last few years and that fewer families living in the county have school-age children. “All of these factors play into the discussions we are having on the possible consolidation of two middle and two high schools,” said Hedrick.
Projections indicate that the consolidation of the middle schools could save the district an estimated $1 million annually, with the high school consolidation saving approximately $1.4 million.
The consolidation proposal projects a reduction of 19 positions at the middle school level and 25 positions at the high school level, plus operational and monthly costs for facilities no longer needed.
The board emphasized that if this proposal moves forward, savings created by the consolidation will be given back to the school system to support students, staff and program offerings. Hedrick indicated that these savings could be used for additional funding of advanced placement and honor courses, technical educational courses, athletics, clubs and fine arts programs amongst other areas.
The proposal is not expected to affect any of the district’s 10 elementary schools, the STEM Early High School or the Early College High School located on Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus.
The first two community conversations to discuss the proposed consolidations were held Thursday, January 25 at the Administrative Services Center located on Graham Avenue and at Henderson Middle School. According to Hedrick, approximately 120 people attended the first two meetings with the majority of the comments being positive and in support of the consolidation. “We were pleased with the large turnout and heard a lot of positive feedback and answered a lot of questions,” said Hedrick.
Additional public meetings will be held as follows:
Tuesday, Jan 30- Administrative Services Center at 10:00 am
Wednesday, Jan 31- Northern Vance High School at 6:30 pm
Monday, Feb 19- Southern Vance High School at 6:00 pm
Monday, Feb 26- Eaton-Johnson Middle School at 6:00 pm
Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes a 30-minute presentation from Dr. Jackson followed by smaller group discussions. According to Hedrick, the group discussions are driven by the questions of the public in attendance and have included a range of topics such as academics, staffing, transportation and athletics/extracurricular activities.
Feedback from these conversations will be presented, along with a recommendation, at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 12.
VGCC hosts lecture series on the brain
— courtesy VGCC
Vance-Granville Community College will offer a series of free, engaging lectures on the human brain, and the community is invited to attend.
Phil Dixon, a resident of Oxford, will present the series, entitled “Using Your Brain for a Change,” starting with the first session on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in the small auditorium in Building 2 on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. In this introductory lecture, Dixon will take a look at how the brain works generally and what it is made of.
In his later talks, Dixon will focus on “Your Brain on its Own” on Tuesday, Feb. 27, and “Your Brain with Another Person” on Tuesday, March 27. These sessions will also begin at 10:30 a.m. in the small auditorium.
Dixon describes himself as being “passionate about the brain – everyone’s brain!” He spends much of his time reading the latest research about the neuroscience of the brain, and determining how that research can be translated into practical application in our daily lives. In particular, Dixon is deeply involved in the application of neuroscience to leadership and management issues such as Executive Coaching, Leadership and Management Development, Change Planning & Management, Culture Change, Recruitment and On-Boarding.
Before he began studying and teaching others about the brain in 2002, Dixon worked in the information technology field – including a stint at Apple – worked in organization development and management consulting, and was the CEO of a commercial real estate firm. He has worked in the private and public sectors, has established and grown a number of consulting firms and has lived, worked and/or taught in over 20 countries.
In 2009, he had the opportunity to study for a master’s degree in Consulting and Coaching for Change in England at a program run jointly by HEC Paris and Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. He has published several articles about the brain, and is a frequent and international speaker on the topic of brain-based leadership.
The series of three sessions is presented by VGCC’s Office of the Endowment. “We were excited to be introduced to this gentleman who has this expertise and vast experience and to discover that he is now living in the local area,” explained VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson. “Our Endowment Office sees this as another great opportunity for the college to be a valuable resource to the community we serve. We invite our students, our faculty and the community at large to join us for Phil’s fun, informative presentations.”
In the past, the Endowment Office has sponsored two series with Bill Barker portraying Thomas Jefferson.
For more information on this series, call Eddie Ferguson at (252) 738-3264.
–VGCC–
(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.)
N.C. Community College President of the Year Dr. Stelfanie Williams
— courtesy VGCC
Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, has been named President of the Year for 2018 by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. She is the first leader in VGCC history to receive the honor.
The President of the Year Award, sponsored by Wells Fargo, was established by the State Board in 2001. This award encourages, identifies, and rewards outstanding leadership and commitment to the community college mission among the presidents of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System.
“My fellow trustees and I are delighted that the State Board of Community Colleges has recognized Dr. Williams for her visionary leadership,” said Danny Wright, chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees. “Our entire region has been blessed to have Dr. Williams lead Vance-Granville Community College to new heights of excellence by embracing innovation and fostering strong partnerships. She serves our institution, our community and the state of North Carolina with warmth, humility and a passion for student success. This award is a well-deserved honor for Dr. Williams and reflects positively on the entire Vance-Granville team.”
College leaders nominated Williams as part of a competitive selection process in which an eight-page narrative is submitted and candidates are interviewed by an awards committee. The awards process emphasizes accomplishments that presidents have led in the past three years at their institutions – demonstrating broad community partnerships, improving services through technology, workforce education, economic development, advocacy at the local and state levels, long-range planning, innovation in program development and supporting professional development for college employees, among other criteria.
Williams became the sixth president of VGCC in 2012. Since then, she has focused the college on a “Vanguard Vision” strategic plan that addresses educational excellence, continuous improvement, employee and student engagement in college life, and institutional stewardship. Under her leadership, the college has added seven curriculum degree programs, including Mechatronics Engineering Technology, which provides training for advanced manufacturing careers. That program has been supported by some of the largest grants in the college’s history — part of the $40 million in grant funding (including a record-setting, in-kind donation from Siemens PLM Software) secured since 2013. Williams also helped initiate the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training Alliance (AMSTA) with the Career & Technical Education high school programs from the four public school systems in the college’s service area.
Her tenure has seen the second-largest private donor gift in VGCC history, as well as six consecutive highest-yielding annual golf tournaments for scholarships. With a focus on student success, the institution has improved completion rates, graduating the largest classes ever in 2015 and 2016. The most recent graduating class (2017) featured the largest number of associate’s degrees awarded in the history of the college.
She collaborated with North Carolina Central University to establish the “Eagle Voyage” partnership that now allows students with associate degrees to complete one of three bachelor’s degree programs without having to leave the VGCC campus. Meanwhile, the college has also partnered with North Carolina A&T State University through a program called “Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses” (RIBN), in which students simultaneously enroll at VGCC and the university to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
In addition, Williams introduced a private donor-funded college promise program called the “VanGuarantee” in an effort to make college more accessible for students with the greatest financial need. The scholarship program has garnered national attention and was highlighted by the White House in 2016.
Williams has championed Vance-Granville’s embrace of technology to provide greater academic offerings and support to students. The “Vanguard Online Learning through Technology” (VOLT) initiative has made six degree programs available completely online.
Prior to leading VGCC, Williams served as faculty and in several administrative capacities at other North Carolina community colleges. She also currently serves as adjunct faculty for the North Carolina State University College of Education.
Williams earned baccalaureate degrees in public policy and Spanish at Duke University, a master’s degree in project management from Western Carolina University, and her doctorate in adult and higher education from N.C. State University.
Williams has served on a number of boards and is the current secretary of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents. In 2014, she was awarded the I.E. Ready Distinguished Leadership Award by North Carolina State University. In late 2017, Williams was appointed to a pair of statewide panels that are focused on education issues: the “My Future NC” Commission and the Governor’s Commission on Access to Sound, Basic Education.
–VGCC–
(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.)