Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / June 24, 2009, edition 1 / Page 1
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+ + :d P , The JUN 2 '* ERQUIMANS % ^ Plilpionshlps "News from Next Door” June 24, 2009 - June 30, 2009 Schools implement reduction in force By Cathy Wilson Staff Writer For the first time in at least 15 years, the local school sys tem has been forced to lay off employees. Six teacher assistants and a school nurse have been af fected by the reduction in force policy implemented this month. In addition, six teach ers were transferred within the district, one teacher con tract was not renewed, and three retirees who had been rehired were released. Those positions included one teach er, one vocational coordina tor, and a teacher assistant. The layoffs affect each of the county’s four schools. The changes are in re sponse to the expected short fall in state funds for local schools. The state has still not passed a budget for 2009- 2010, but working projections predict funding cuts for edu cation in various categories. Basically, officials for Per quimans County Schools are preparing for the worst case scenario implementing the layoffs. Local officials are still hoping for additional funding to be approved with the final state budget expected in late August or early September. “With respect to the tough economic times, the Perqui mans County Board of Edu cation had to make some dif ficult decisions concerning budget cuts for the upcoming school year,” said Superin tendent Dr. Dwayne Stall ings. “As superintendent, I wish I could bring a budget message flush with resources that acknowledge and lay the foundation for the advance ments we need to best serve our students. Any step back ward in state funding is dis appointing.” “Optimism continues to be Our hope, as we all pray and ask for relief from the eco nomic downturn,” he contin ued. “Our schools have two unquantifiable resources: ex cellent staff and community support. More than ever next year, we will rely on and ap preciate our skillful and ex pert employees as well as our legions of volunteers and school supporters. Together, we will make sure our stu dents succeed.” Those laid off were notified by Dr. Stallings either in per son or by phone, said Public Information Officer Brenda Lassiter. Monday night, board of ed ucation members approved a continuing budget resolu tion based on the current fiscal year’s figures in order to continue operating as re quired by law. Stallings said he believes the state budget process will continue to be a “long drawn out thing”. “We’ll just have to wait and see,” he added. The Perquimans County Board of Commissioners ap proved the proposed county budget Monday night, keep ing schools’ operating fund ing the same as last year’s. Commissioners also fund ed capital outlay projects for the schools at $250,000, and approved spending $355,000 to replace the roof at Hert ford Grammar School this fiscal year. The county also is slated to make the first debt ser vice payment this fiscal year on the $11 million high school renovation and addi tions project to the tune of $742,480. Coming fall circle: Layden back home New PCS principal was former student By Cathy Wilson Staff Writer She’s traveled from the coast to the mountains work ing with local school districts during her educational ca reer, but now Linda Layden has come back home. The Perquimans County na tive wiU serve as principal of Perquimans Central School beginning July 1. “My life has come full circle,” said the lady who at tended the old Perquimans Central School as a child. “1 began my career in the Per quimans County Schools by teaching first- and second- graders at Hertford Grammar School in 1995.” When she assumes the po sition of principal, she will fulfill her lifetime goal of re turning to Perquimans Coun ty as a principal. In fact, 15 years ago, Layden predicted she would be a principal one day at the WinfaU school that serves approximately 450 stu dents, 34 teachers, and 43 oth er faculty and staff members. “I am so excited,” she said. “Central has a great staff, great students and great par ents. I’m looking forward to sharing experiences with them. I commend them for the work done there thus far and look forward to new ex citing things to happen in the future.” A graduate of Perquimans County High School, Layden has accomplished much in her quest for the betterment of education. She graduated in 1995 from Elizabeth City State University with a de gree in elementary education SUBMIHED PHOTO Linda Layden will be the principal of Perquimans Central School starting July 1. followed by a masters degree from East Carolina Universi ty (ECU). She also earned an educational specialist degree in administrative leadership and curriculum degree as an education specialist in educa tion leadership/administra tion from The George Wash ington University in 2006 and is on track to graduate with her doctorate of education from ECU next year. She worked last year as an instructional facilitator for district and school transfor mation for the state Depart ment of Public Instruction. Traveling throughout the state, she worked with the best districts in the state as weU as the lowest. She has worked with diverse popula tions, helped low-performing schools better their perfor mance through staff develop ment, and helped educators learn to deal with relation ship within the schools. She is sensitive to all races and socioeconomic levels, she said, and is passionate about See LAYDEN on Page 9 Summer camp I ii m. PERQUIMANS WEEKLY PHOTO BY CATHY WILSON Measuring, digging and discovering facts about the past was part of the adventure activities enjoyed during the Sail Into Summer Camp last week. Newbold-White camp keeps kids busy By Cathy Wilson Staff Writer G irls and boys giggled and laughed as they spent the day shap ing homemade fig cookies, throwing an ancient hunt ing weapon, and searching for fossils during the first Sail Into Summer Camp held last week at the New bold-White House. Eighteen youngsters, age 8-11, converged on the grounds of the historic Quaker homestead each day delving into a new activity that not only kept them busy, but broadened their minds as weU. Site Manager Glenda Maynard said they were pleased with the turnout, noting that the kids enjoyed several field trips in addi tion to learhing new things and having fun on the grounds. The children toured the area and searched for fossils on a trip to Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. They also visited the Lost Colony’s costume shop where youngsters tried on the heavy armor worn during the theater’s summer productions. In addition, they visited the nature trail and attend ed waterside art classes where they painted their own watercolor paintings depicting their experiences during the trip. Students also visited the periauger at the town dock on Thursday despite threat ening clouds and periodic rain. There they learned how to raise and lower the sails, played games, and actually experienced sailing on the replica of the wooden boats that once floated the local rivers years ago. They also enjoyed games and activities at Missing Min Park during that same trip. See CAMP on Page 9 Weekend Weather Thursday High: 86 Low: 71 Isolated THUNDERSTORMS Friday High: 89 Low: 74 Scattered THUNDERSTORMS Saturday High: 87 Low: 74 Isolated THUNDERSTORMS Tips help keep criminals out Local man bitten by rabid raccoon Chamber hears crime prevention tips By Cathy Wilson Staff Writer If you see a strange char acter hanging around your place of business and you get that uneasy feeling, just snap his or her picture with your cell phone. Chances are if they see you taking their picture, they’ll leave. If a crime does occur in the neighborhood, you have a photo of the stranger who happened to he in the area that day. Using your instincts and easy technology available at your fingertips is one way to prevent crime, said Bob PoiseUa, education specialist for the North Carolina Gover- PERQUIMANS WEEKLY PHOTO BY CATHY WILSON Bob Poisella, education specialist with the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission, gave crime prevention tips to members of the Per quimans Chamber of Commerce recently. nor’s Crime Commission. Poisella, a former New York City detective, spoke to chamber members last week See PREVENTION on Page 9 From staff reports A Hertford man is receiv ing shots to prevent rabies after being bitten by a rabid raccoon June 8. Perquimans Sheriff Eric Tilley said Brian Damron, 29, was bitten on the right leg while working on a porch at a residence on Harvey Point Road. Damron, he said, was busy working and never saw the animal approaching until the raccoon lunged at him and bit his leg. Dam ron fought off the attack, and killed the raccoon. The raccoon’s head was sent to the state public health labo ratory, he said. According to JiU C. Jor dan, health education di rector and public informa tion officer for Albemarle Regional Health Services, the head was tested and con firmed positive for rabies the next day Jordan indicated that the state public health laborato ry has confirmed eight cases of rabies in the Albemarle area since January 2008. According to a press re lease from ARHS, rabies is most commonly found in raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Rabies has infected and also See RABIES on Page 6
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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June 24, 2009, edition 1
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