How safe are your children in local schools?

District 50 takes steps to improve student safety

August 18, 2005

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

Looking after the safety of every child in a school district is a huge responsibility and a task of enormous importance, officials say.
It’s also a job Greenwood School District 50 is more than capable of handling, Superintendent Bill Steed said.
Some questions were raised recently as to the district’s ability to keep students safe after a 4-year-old student at Oakland Elementary School was lost within the building.
The child was reported missing after having gone into another teacher’s classroom Aug. 10 and was found safe inside the building about an hour later, after a search party had been launched to search the area around the school.
In an Internet poll conducted by The Index-Journal, readers were asked if they were “confident in the security procedures in place in area schools.” As of 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, 212 responses had been received. Of those, 86 percent (or 182 responders) answered no.
Steed said he could understand why there would be concerns following last week’s incident. He also said steps have been taken already to prevent such an occurrence from happening again. Security measures will continue to be improved, he said.
In several of District 50’s elementary schools, the younger students wear ID badges at the beginning of the school year.
In addition to having the child’s name, the badges often are color-coded and contain bus route or pick-up information. The badges help teachers in the process of getting to know students and in making sure students are where they should be.
The badges weren’t used at Oakland at the time the child went missing, but went into use immediately after the incident. Children will continue to wear the badges until later in the school year, when teachers have had a chance to familiarize themselves with students.
The suggestion to implement the use of badges at Oakland was made by teachers at the school in an effort to improve safety measures. Steed said the district would encourage all elementary schools to use badges or similar means of identification in the future.
The incident at Oakland was the first of its kind in District 50, Steed said. He added that the district’s record of maintaining safety in schools is a good one, maintained through numerous safety measures and specific procedures for emergencies, all of which are frequently updated.
“That situation (at Oakland) was an unusual one,” Steed said. “Our teachers are much more aware now and will continue to be much more aware.”
The district’s emergency procedures handbook was revised fully this past February and was reviewed by teachers, administrators and emergency responders. It was further reviewed in the days following the Oakland incident, and principals at every school went over the handbook with teachers.
“We’re always looking at ways these sorts of things can be improved,” Steed said. “No matter what you do, something unexpected can always happen. You have to use it to change and improve, so it doesn’t happen again.”
The key to safety, especially with younger children, is supervision, Steed said. He said administrators patrol the hallways at all schools and elementary classes travel as a whole to lunch and other activities, always accompanied by a teacher. With the exception of the front entrances, doors at all schools are kept locked to prevent people from entering from outside.
The district’s emergency preparedness handbook covers everything from natural disasters to nuclear emergencies, and from abductions to communicable diseases.
“I think one thing we need to do is take the responsibility to share these plans with parents,” Steed said. “It’s something we’ve neglected, but I think if they knew the extent of what we have in place, that might help allay any fears they have.”
There has been discussion of posting the plans online. In the meantime, emergency procedures and plans can be viewed at any school in the district.

School start date debate continues

August 18, 2005

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

The crusade for a later school start date in South Carolina has been going on for years.
Though it might seem school starts earlier every year, that’s not exactly the case — at least not in District 50, Superintendent Bill Steed said.
The first day of school in Greenwood public schools is always the first Thursday in August. That might be Aug. 7 one year and Aug. 2 the next, but it’s always the same time of year, and the district has been doing that for nearly a decade, Steed said.
In a recent Index-Journal Internet poll, 372 voters (84 percent) said they think public schools start too early.
Steed said he hasn’t heard many complaints in District 50 about the start date. For most of those who do disagree with going back to school in August, he said he thinks it’s an emotional issue.
“I think they like the idea of doing it that way because they used to do it that way when they were in school,” Steed said.
But he said that starting school after Labor Day is no longer a conventional way to do things.
For starters, he said, public education requirements have changed, with 180 school days now mandated for students and 190 mandated for teachers.
PACT testing is always an issue, but it’s not the only one taken into consideration when choosing a start date, Steed said. A major issue is winter exams.
On the present school schedule, students take exams right before winter break. With a later start date, exams wouldn’t be taken until school resumes in January.
“Actually, I like the way they do it now, where we can get out earlier,” said Dayla Bonds, a ninth-grader at Greenwood High. “It makes more sense because, if we started earlier, our exams would be right after Christmas break. By then, nobody would remember the test material and nobody wants to study over Christmas break.”
Bonds said an earlier school start date had been a recent topic of discussion in her world geography honors class.
Sonali Desai, an 11th-grader, was of a similar opinion, saying she doesn’t mind starting earlier if it means she doesn’t have to study during her time off in December.
Senior Courtney Rouse had a different view. She said the summer seems to disappear faster when school starts back in early August. Her suggestion is to cut some of the holidays during to school year.
That would be a workable solution, Steed said, but likely would draw even more fire than an early start date.

Robinson gets his turn

Greenwood senior prepared for role as starting tailback

August 18, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Greenwood High School running back Robert Robinson knows about waiting.
Last year, Robinson was behind All-Lakelands tailback Maurice Drew on the Eagles’ depth chart and carried the ball just 17 times in 13 games.
Now, the senior is getting his shot as the Eagles’ starting tailback, a position Greenwood coach Shell Dula said has been a long time coming.
“Robert has worked really hard for this,” Dula said.
“We think Robert is going to have a big year. He got a good start last weekend in the Abbeville jamboree, and we’re expecting another good showing from him in our jamboree Friday.”
Friday’s jamboree at Greenwood will get under way at 6:30 p.m. with a scrimmage between Abbeville and Ware Shoals. That will be followed by a tilt between Ninety Six and Emerald, with Greenwood and Newberry squaring off in the evening’s final contest.
Though this will be Robinson’s first season as the starting tailback, he has seen fairly extensive action at Greenwood. In 2004, he played primarily as a wide receiver, tallying 19 receptions for 254 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries as Drew’s backup.
Robinson said he’s eager to be the team’s primary running threat.
“It hasn’t been hard to change into the role,” Robinson said.
“I know what I’m capable of, and the coaches are always behind me. I’m ready to show what I can do as the starting tailback.”
Robinson’s experience as a receiver makes him a viable double threat coming out of the backfield. He said he expects to split wide at times, as well as help out on special teams.
Dula said he has been impressed with Robinson’s athleticism and speed this preseason.
“He’s just so quick,” Dula said. “There’s a difference there, between fast and quick. Oh, he’s fast, maybe the fastest we’ve got, but he is also very quick at recognizing defenses and coverages and making adjustments. His quickness allows us to do a lot of different things with him, as far as splitting him wide and what not.”
Dula said Robinson proved especially fleet of foot during the Eagles’ Tuesday scrimmage with Union, when he busted loose for an 80-yard touchdown.
“He found his blocks and got free, and nobody was going to catch him,” Dula said. “We’ll need those kind of performances from him in the regular season, too.”
Joining Robinson in the Greenwood backfield is senior quarterback Armanti Edwards. Edwards is also entering his first season as an entrenched starter, though he started 12 games in 2004 when Zearick Matthews went down with a foot injury.
“Me and Armanti work well together back there,” Robinson said. “We’ve also got a great friendship. He’s like a brother to me.”
While Robinson admits he is “very anxious” about the 2005 campaign, he said he knows of one person who is perhaps even more anxious - his mother, Anita Arnold.
“She worries I’m going to get killed out there,” said Robinson with a laugh. “She’s real excited and proud of me though.”
Robinson said the Eagles worked particularly hard in the off season in preparation a stringent non-region schedule that includes rivalry games with Emerald and Abbeville, and AAAA grudge matches with Byrnes, Dorman and Spartanburg.
“With a schedule like ours we have to work all year long, ” Robinson. “Weight lifting and conditioning this summer was as tough as it’s ever been. We’re ready, though. We’re definitely ready.”
Robinson said he and the Eagles are approaching the 2005 campaign with a singular goal in mind: a Class AAAA, Division II state title.
“That’s our dream, that’s what we’re here for,” Robinson said. “If we could bring home state, I’d love it.”

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com

Opinion

Bryan Dorn made service to people ‘special’ focus

August 18, 2005

When the eulogies for Bryan Dorn are delivered today at Greenwood’s First Baptist Church, those in attendance will hear once again about the many positive contributions that set apart this long-time member of the U. S. House of Representatives. There are thousands of other South Carolinians who cannot be there for obvious reasons. That, however, doesn’t leave them wondering about a man who did so much for his constituents in the 3rd Congressional District.
Everyone by now should be familiar with his important work on behalf of military veterans, the nation’s defense and a myriad of other vital issues that impacted this community, this region, this state and this nation.

THERE WAS ANOTHER FACTOR, though, one that always stands out in direct proportion to the time successful public servants hold office. It defines service, and it is the hallmark for many elected officials of the Palmetto State. For U. S. Rep. Bryan Dorn, though, it was a way of political life. That was, of course, personal service to constituents. It didn’t matter if voters lived in Greenwood, Calhoun Falls, McCormick or any other community anywhere in the Lakelands area. They all were important to Mr. Dorn and he considered each and every one a friend.
Ask folks around Abbeville, McCormick and in other 3rd District communities. A Social Security problem needed solving? Bryan Dorn did it. A serviceman needed to come home from overseas on an emergency basis? Bryan Dorn arranged it. All the seemingly little things got his attention.

WHETHER IT WAS SOMETHING big or small, though, if a constituent needed assistance, Bryan Dorn took the time to get it done. Look up the words “public servant” in the dictionary and a picture of Bryan Dorn should be included.
Bryan Dorn knew “his” people, and he served them well. That, of course, is what makes any politician successful. Some do it as part of the job. Bryan did it because he cared. It’s a cliché, perhaps, but he never met a stranger. He made each person feel that he or she was as important as anyone else.
Bryan Dorn will be remembered for many things. More than anything else, though, he will likely be remembered as a special friend of all the people of South Carolina, but particularly those of the 3rd District. That’s because he made them feel special, too.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Charles D. Blackstock

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Charles D. “Papa” Blackstock, 78, widower of Christine Brown Blackstock, died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005 at University Hospital.
Thomas L. King Funeral Home, Martinez, is in charge.

Ryan Cain

STAMFORD, Conn. — Ryan Martin Cain, 23, of 180 Broad St., died Monday, Aug. 15, 2005 at the Floyd Medical Center in Rome, Ga.
Born in Gainesville, Ga., he was a son of Walter Lamar and Debra Hunt Cain. He was a graduate of Ringgold High School, Ringgold, Ga., and attended Berry College in Rome, Ga. He received a degree in business finance from University of Tennessee in Knoxville and was employed by International Paper Co. at the cooperate office in Stamford. He was a member of Brainerd Hills Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Survivors include his parents of Andalusia, Ala.; a brother, Jonathan Lamar Cain of Atlanta; maternal grandparents, Bill and Elizabeth Hunt of Newton, N.C.; and paternal grandparents, Lamar and Lauranette Cain of Ware Shoals, S.C.
Services are 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, Ware Shoals, conducted by Dr. Richard Mason and the Rev. Jeff Clark. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park, Greenwood, S.C.
Pallbearers are Michael Everett, David Frazee, Eric Anderson, Brett Parish, Tyler Patterson, Jake Kellerhals, Jarod Cone and Eric Stroud. Visitation is 12-1:30 Friday at the church.
The family is at the home of grandparents Lamar and Lauranette Cain, Highway 25, Ware Shoals.
Memorials may be made to the Ryan Cain Scholarship Fund, c/o Brainerd Hills Baptist Church, 6611 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Dartha Triplin Chapman

SALUDA — Dartha Triplin Chapman, 84, of 323 Barrwood Road, widow of J.C. Chapman, died on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005 at Laurel Baye Nursing Center, Orangeburg.
Born in Saluda County, she was a daughter of the late Ida Triplin Abney and Ernest Graham. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and Women Home Aide Society No. 126. She retired as a nurse’s aide from Saluda Nursing Center.
Survivors include two daughters, Yvonne Chapman Clarkson of Orangeburg and Emily Kay Chapman-Grimes of Fayetteville, N.C.; three sons, Stanford Chapman of Augusta, Ga., Sam F. Chapman of Fayetteville and Anthony Chapman of Stone Mountain, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Clarence Kenner, pastor. Assisting is Bishop Michael C. Butler. The body will be placed in the church at 10. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are grandsons and nephews.
Flower bearers are church family and friends of the family.
The family is at the home.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Gloria Kinney

GREENWOOD — Gloria Jean Kinney, 55, of 516 Bolt Avenue, died Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Pikeville, KY, she was a daughter of the late Bradley Kinney and Nancy J. Terrell and a stepdaughter of James Terrell. She was a member of New Life Baptist Church of Greenwood.
She was twice married, first to the late Mike Stevens of Kentucky and Donald Haskins of Michigan and was preceded in death by her brother, Paul Douglas Kinney and a stepsister, Brenda Wilson.
Surviving is her stepfather of Greenwood; two daughters, Nancy J. Stevens of Greenwood and Brenda Roenicke and her husband, Rick, of Whitmore Lake, MI; two sons, Mike Stevens and his wife, Bridget, of Flat Lick, KY and Bradley Haskins and his wife, Michelle, of Freeland, MI; stepchildren, Don and Melony Haskins, Dennis Haskins and David Haskins, all of Michigan; a sister, Sheila Langley of Greenwood; grandchildren, Erica, Kelly and Brooklyn Stevens and Cody Haskins; two nieces, Shelley Cooley and Tammy Brade of South Carolina; eight step grandchildren; two stepsisters, Janice Thompson and Debbie Babb, both of Greenville and a stepbrother, Jimmy Terrell of Travelers Rest.
Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Greenwood Memorial Gardens Chapel Mausoleum with the Rev. A. L. “Bud” Tumblin officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Mike Stevens, Brad Haskins, Eshane Cooley, Brandon Langley, Jr., Bruce Travis and Farris Parker.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. The body will be placed in the chapel mausoleum at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The family is at the home of her sister, Sheila Langley, 211 Lake Street, Greenwood.
Memorials may be made to the New Life Baptist Church building fund, c/o Rev. A. L. Tumblin, 116 Clark Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29649.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Bobby Lee Manick

Bobby Lee Manick, 56, of Amara Rehab & Healthcare Center, Augusta, Ga., formerly of Greenwood, died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005 at the V.A. Medical Center in Augusta.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Julius and Susie Patterson Manick. He graduated from Brewer High School, received an associate of science degree in human services from Piedmont Technical College and was a patient care tech at Self Regional Medical Center and Greenwood County Health Department. An Army veteran, he was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and American Legion Post 224.
Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Hinds Manick of Easton, Mass.; a son, Justin Lee Manick of Easton; two brothers, J. James Manick of Charlotte, N.C., and Ronnie Manick of Hodges; three sisters, Susie Ann Manick, Vanessa Aiken and Bertha Mae Davis, all of Greenwood.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Robinson & Son Mortuary, conducted by Bishop Emmanuel Spearman. Visitation is 7-8 tonight at the mortuary.
The family is at the home of Nesha Manick, Wisewood Apartments, 235 Florida Ave., Building 3, Apt. 15.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

William K. McLean

BLYTHEWOOD — Funeral service for William Kester McLean, 86, of Blythewood, will be held 11 o’clock, Friday, August 19, 2005 at Sandy Level Baptist Church in Blythewood with The Rev. Dr. Ben Newman, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers are Jerry Stevens, Scott Flores, Art Flores, Nicholas Flores, Chad Laird, John Mims, Jay Brigman, and Tony Melton. Honorary pallbearers will be Mens II Sunday School Class, Blythewood Masonic Lodge and American Legion Post 191. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 Thursday evening at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203, and other times at Mr. McLean’s residence, Eureka Acres. Memorials may be made to Sandy Level Baptist Church, PO Box 518, Blythewood, SC 29016.
Mr McLean died Tuesday, August 16, 2005, Born in Blythewood, he was the son of the late William Archibald and Charlice Viola Hair McLean. He graduated from Clemson College in 1941 with a BS degree as a Vocational teacher with a commission in the US Army Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant. Later he was promoted to Captain. After graduation he reported to Fort Jackson and was then assigned to Camp Croft in Spartanburg, SC to train new recruits. He received a Commendation for recruit training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. In July, 1943, he was shipped to Karachi, India, then to Ledo, India, where he was assigned to the headquarters for Allied Forces’ China-Burma-India theatre, G-2 Section of the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC). He was awarded numerous medals to include The Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. He was honored in a feature article in the State newspaper and the Blythewood Chronicle in March, 2005 following a special medal presentation at Ft. Jackson. He was honorably discharged on March 20, 1946. After returning to the states, he married Mildred Elizabeth Welch, on July 7, 1945, whom he had met while at Fort McClellan. He was a life long member of Sandy Level Baptist Church. Mr. McLean was a member of the Mens II Sunday School Class, Blythewood Masonic Lodge, and American Legion Post 191. He was a former school teacher and owner of Blythewood Laundry.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Mildred E. Welch McLean; son, William Kester McLean, Jr, of Simpsonville, SC; daughters, Linda M. Stevens of Greenwood, SC, Judy M. Gorman of San Antonio, TX, Mary M, Emmer-ling of Chapin, SC; nine grandchildren; seven great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Hudnalle, John, Delmas, Angus, and Bascombe McLean; two sisters, Clara Hughes and Melba Swaffield.
www.shivesfuneralhome.com
(803) 754-6290
PAID OBITUARY

Myrtle Rachels

NINETY SIX — Myrtle B. Rachels, 85, of 1018 Lebanon Church Road, widow of Bobby Lewis Rachels, died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005 at her home.
Born in Lawrence County, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Jacob and Mary Eliza Noles Scott. She was a patient sitter and a member of Augusta Highway Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Earlene Brown and Aurelia McKinney, both of Greenwood; a grandson of the home, Danny Brown; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Craig Hughes. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are James Calvin McKinney, Roy Carroll McKinney, Danny Brown, David Cook and John Rodgers.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to Augusta Highway Baptist Church, 3720 Highway 25 S., Greenwood, SC 29646. Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Nancy Chiles Speed

HERNDON, Va. — Services for Nancy Chiles Speed, of 2610 Meadow Hall Drive, are 11 a.m. today at Mount Olive Baptist Church, Centreville.
Additional services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Shiloh A.M.E. Church, McCormick, S.C., the Rev. Robert Haskell officiating, the Rev. Fred Addison, eulogist, assisted by the Revs. James Louden III and Eugene Johnson. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Darryl Chiles, Jernaldan Chiles, Roderick Chiles, Robert Galloway, Ernest Jennings Jr., Kelvin Johnson, Bryon Moss and Charles Smith III.
Flower bearers are Christine Bolton, Gelisha Chiles, Natasha Chiles, Sandrayia Chiles, Tiffany Chiles, Jocelyn Edmonds, Karen Edmonds, Henrietta Franklin, Lawan Smith, Pameeka Smith, Cathy Tolbert and Betty Timmons.
Honorary escorts are Mims High School Class of 1966 members.
Visitation is after the burial at Bethany Baptist fellowship hall.
Walker Funeral Home, McCormick, is in charge.

Jerry P. ‘CO’ Talbert

PLUM BRANCH — Services for Jerry P. “CO” Talbert are 3 p.m. Saturday at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, with the Rev. Melvin Gordon, pastor, officiating, and the Rev. Otis Cunningham as eulogist. The body will be placed in the church at 2. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Johnny Talbert, Watson Chamberlain, Charlie Cunningham, James Hill, Edward Talbert and Gregory Cartledge.
Flower bearers are Yashika L. Coats, Sandra Miller, Riekeisha Smiley, Jasmine Talbert, Aarion Talbert, Nautica Smiley, Kiliah Talbert and Daphene Talbert.
The family is at the home, Route 1, Harmony Road.
Walker Funeral Home, McCormick, is in charge.

Maggie Agnew Walker

Maggie Agnew Walker, 75, of 625-A Evans St., died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005 at her home.
Born in Hodges, she was a daughter of the late Tom and Francis Wardlaw. She was a member of Dunham Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and Women’s Aide Society No. 55. She was a former domestic worker.
Survivors include a son, Bobby Gene Agnew of Cleveland, Ohio; five sisters, Matilda Caldwell, Emma Cunningham and Rosa Latimer, all of Greenwood, Laura Griffin of Cleveland and Mabel House of Nashville, Tenn.; three grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.