McIver closing on the table

It was revealed at the Halifax County Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday that McIver Elementary School may face the possibility of being closed.  No formal recommendation has been made, but the school is one of several schools in the district that is being looked at in an effort to save money.

The task force is looking at usage of schools as well as enrollment.  McIver has and enrollment of 166 students but is being looked at because it is only at 49.5% capacity.  The schools capacity is 336 students. 

In a report by Charles Chambers Chairman of the Facilities Task Force the board was informed that McIver is under utilized and thus could be looked at for closing. 

According to Public Relations Coordinator Halifax County Schools Keith Hoggard the task force is part of school boards effort to fulfill it’s obligation to the to keep cost under control.  One way of keeping cost under control is by effectively using all of its space available.  Hoggard stressed that no recommendations have been made, but was mentioned as a possibility for closing.

Other schools mentioned were Bakers Elementary and Dawson Elementary.  Of those three schools only Baker met 100% of the out of the 13 target goals in the 2007 Annual Yearly Progress Report.

McIver did not make Adequate Yearly Progress scoring only 53.8% which was 7 out of 13 targeted goals.  Dawson did not make Adequate Yearly Progress scoring 61.5% meeting 8 of the 13 targeted goals.

The task force is supposed to make its recommendations to the school board before next months meeting.  The April 7 Halifax Board of Education Meeting Regular Session will be held at McIver Elementary.  The meeting will start at 7 p.m.

In another School board action School Board Chairman Charles Swindell resigned his position on Monday. Acting Chairman Tyrone Williams was made chairman.  Williams has been the acting chairman for several months.

According to previous reports Swindell has not been at a board meetings since last fall due to family medical leave.