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School dropout rate in the crosshairs
Bowers to lead alternative
learning, early college
BY REBECCA BUNCH
Staff Writer
D.F. Walker Elementary
Principal Jamie Bowers has
been tapped to head early
college and alternative learn
ing programs as local school
officials bear down on the
goal of eliminating dropouts.
Bowers’ new position is
part of a high-level staffing
shift that will go into effect for
the 2015-2016 school year.
In other staffing changes
announced June 3
by Edenton-Chowan
Schools Superinten
dent Rob Jackson,
Michelle White, who
is presently the prin
cipal at White Oak
Elementary School,
will move into Bow
ers’ position at D.F.
BOWERS
Bowers’ new , job
will be a full-time
position, according
to Michelle Maddox,
director of human
resources for the
school system.
Jackson said the
creation of the new
position was in keep
Walker; and Sheila Evans,
principal at John A. Holmes
High School, will become the
new principal at White Oak
Elementary.
mg with his determination
not to have a single student
drop out of the local school
See LEAD, 4A
Palm: A daunting
task, but a strong team
BY REGGIE PONDER
Editor
Frank Palm Views education in
Chowan County with what might
be called chastened optimism.
The outgoing chairman of the
Edenton Chowan Partnership’s
Education has an optimistic view
of local education because that’s
his spirit - buoyant and positive.
The optimism is chastened by an
honest facing of hard facts.
“We have huge work to do,” Palm
said. “But we have a
strong team that’s
together.”
Palm has headed
the committee since
it was formed. But
he’s stepping down
now as he and his
PALM wife, Beverly, pre
pare to move to
Pennsylvania later this month.
One of the sobering facts Palm
See TASK, 4A
Symbol of God’s Loving Care
STAFF PHOTO BY REGGIE PONDER
Sally Holloway presents Al Walker a Bible on behalf of Chowan-Perquimans Habitat for Humanity during a dedication ceremony at Walker's new home on Morris Circle
Saturday morning. Walker’s home is the chapter’s 14th and the eighth in Chowan County.
Budget: Schools hope for best, prepare for worst
BY REGGIE PONDER
Editor
The local school system is bracing
for a tough budget year.
At the May 27 special meeting
of the Chowan County Board of
Commissioners, Edenton-Chowan
Schools Superintendent Rob Jackson
asked for an opportunity to address
the issue of schools current expense
funding. Because of state-mandated
salary increases and increases in the
cost of employee benefits, not getting
an increase in current expense fund
ing from the county is effectively a
cut, he said.
The county commissioners will
hold a public on the proposed 2015
2016 county budget at their meeting
Monday at 6 p.m. The recommended
budget from County Manager Kevin
Howard includes a six-cent increase
in the property tax rate, bringing the
rate to 76 cents per $100 valuation;
increased schools capital outlay
funding by $400,000 over the current
year’s level; and maintains schools
See BUDGET, 3A
Council opts for greater oversight on infrastructure
BY REBECCA BUNCH
Staff Writer
A frank discussion held
hi
89076,44813lll0
©2009 The Chowan Herald
All Rights Reserved
at a town budget Work
session last Thursday has
prompted the town to
implement changes that
it hopes will lead to better
communication between
town staff and the town
council
In a memo provided to
Mayor Roland Vaughan
and council members late
Monday, Town Manager
Anne-Marie Knighton said
the changes would include
more direct conversation
between town department
heads and the council.
“In addition to monthly
reports, I think it will be
helpful to schedule each
department head to pres
ent annually a review of
their work plan - prior year
and current year,” she said.
“And along those lines, I
will ask the Electric Depart
ment to submit a monthly
written report to you, the
way Public Works, Fire,
Code Enforcement and Po
lice provide." •
See OVERSIGHT, 6A
Staff reassigned for
next school year
BY REBECCA BUNCH
Staff Writer
All four of Chowan County’s schools
will have new principals for the 2015-2016
school year.
In staffing changes that were announced
June 3 by Edenton-Chowan Schools Super
intendent Rob Jackson, Michelle White,
who is presently the principal at White Oak
Elementary School, will become principal
at D.E Walker - replacing Jan tie Bowers,
who will head early college and alterna
tive learning programs for the school sys
tem; and Sheila Evans, principal at John A.
Holmes High School, will become the new
principal at White Oak Elementaiy.
Evans was the principal at D.E Walker
prior to moving into the leadership posi
tion at Holmes.
See REASSIGNED, 4A
WHITE
EVANS
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Saturday, Ium 10,1015
Open to the public 9am ‘til
• Music Saturday
• Arts & Crafts Show
• All Vehicle show
l
People's Choice
Judging begins at
4pm, Must be in line
at 3:45pm to judge.
Cookers, Cars for
Car Show, Crafters
Judging for Whole Hog
is open to the public
-PEOPLE'S CHOICE
■r