District 50 officials introduce middle school zoning proposal

March 9, 2005

By TASHA STEIMER
Index-Journal staff writer

More than 50 people were present Tuesday as Greenwood School District 50 administrators introduced a middle school zoning plan that would move more than 100 students from Northside to Brewer Middle School for the 2005-06 school year.
The board met during a special meeting to gather information and discuss the zoning issue. No action was taken.
Students affected by the proposed rezoning map live in or near the following communities: the Greenwood County Airport, Beech Run, Winding Creek, Windtree, Georgetown Apartments, Belle Meade, Canterbury, Northwoods, Orchard Park, Laurel Avenue, Henrietta Heights and Cokesbury Road.
Gary West, director of computing services for the district, said rezoning those areas, or nodes, would be the best way to balance the three schools based on the projected middle school student population for the upcoming school year.
“If students entered the new schools with the current zoning map, the schools wouldn’t be even as far as population or socio-economic factors,” he said. “We would have about 300 students less at Brewer (than at Northside).”
West said proximity to the schools was an issue while adjusting the zoning lines, but other factors such as population, ethnicity, lunch status, academic standards, special needs and exceptional needs were used to determine which nodes moved into the Brewer area.
“The Board also made the decision in the initial plan to avoid splitting up neighborhoods between districts and we considered that. Reassigned nodes must be adjacent to existing nodes for receiving schools,” he said.
West said this approach would prevent any one neighborhood from being zoned for one school while the surrounding communities were zoned for another school. This would also keep students who live across the street from each other from being divided between two middle schools.
Based on projected numbers under the current zoning map, West said Brewer would have 36 percent white students for the 2005-06 school year – 11 percent more than the district average of all white middle school students.
The Board set a 10 percent parameter surrounding the district average during its initial approval of the zoning plan two years ago to maintain equality among the middle schools.
Under the current zoning map, all factors are within the 10 percent range expect student population and ethnicity.
West said the proposed changes would bring population and ethnicity within the 10 percent range while maintaining the balance of the remaining factors.
Superintendent Dr. Bill Steed told visitors he understood their concerns about the rezoning and that the changes were necessary to balance the middle schools.
“I know these decisions are not easy for students or parents. My responsibility is to look at the entire district – not to focus on one school – and make every single school the best it can be,” he said. “We want to put out a plan that makes sense, and we’ll continue to look at it as we get closer to construction and opening of Northside. I do think it’s important to be balanced.”
The draft proposal is posted on the district Web site, and administrators and board members encouraged parents or community members to review the zoning changes and provide input. The goal of the board is make a decision on the plan prior to March 28 before the district begins spring break.

Opinion

Social Security choices? Now’s the time to decide

March 9, 2005

The debate continues over Social Security. It needs something to survive, but what? So far, President Bush’s proposal to allow younger Americans to invest in personal retirement accounts is being battered by almost all Democrats in Congress and even some Republicans.
If the average, younger South Carolinian can see around the partisan politics that cloud the picture, they might consider three things:
1-Would they rather invest in their own accounts?
2-Would they rather increase Social Security taxes?
3-Would they rather receive reduced benefits?
Of course, there are other considerations. For instance, they could end up getting nothing, or they could both pay more taxes and get fewer benefits. Then, again, they could see the age eligibility rise from 65 to 67 ….. or more.
Maybe it’s a good thing the debate is taking place. Nobody’s done anything before. No more time should elapse before the problem is fixed.
It’s obviously a hot political potato that politicians have avoided for several years. It won’t get any easier as more time goes by.

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

Obituaries

Tommie Holliday

WARE SHOALS — Tommie Jones Holliday, 88, of Power House Road, widow of Malcolm Ervin Holliday, died Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at Oakmont of Union.
She was a daughter of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Shirley Jones. She worked in manufacturing and was a member of Mt. Gallagher Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Janet Bradford of Hendersonville, N.C., and Sylvia Carson of Union; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services are at 11 Thursday at Mt. Gallagher Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Marcus Bishop and John Medlin. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 10.
Pallbearers are Ray Thompson, Don Jackson, Steve Carruth, Stanley O’Dell, Phil O’Dell, Tim O’Dell and Bennett Medlin.
Honorary escorts are members of the Sunshine Class at Mt. Gallagher Baptist Church.
Visitation is from 10-11 Thursday at the church.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Gallagher Baptist Church, 11828 Indian Mound Road, Ware Shoals, S.C., 29692.
Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Bobby R. Lewis

ABBEVILLE — Bobby Ray Lewis, 48, of 1548 Rock Hill Road, husband of Willie Mae Durant, died Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at his home.
A son of Tom Lewis Sr. and the late Sarah Jones Lewis, he was a member of West Side Church of Christ and attended Abbeville High School.
Survivors include his wife of the home; his father of Abbeville; three sons, Adger O’Neal Durant, Terrance Lewis and Bobby Eugene Lewis, all of Abbeville; three sisters, Louise Ware of Greenville, Brenda Arnold and Ruby Lewis, both of Abbeville; four brothers, Tom Lewis Jr., Wayne Lewis, Darrell Lewis and James Pressley, all of Abbeville; and two grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Abbeville & White Mortuary.

Dink Rion

GREENWOOD – Samuel Preston “Dink” Rion, 69, husband of Jacqueline McKeon “Jackie” Rion, died March 7, 2005 at Wesley Commons after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Winnsboro, SC, October 7, 1935, he was a son of the late Preston and Sadie Smith Rion. Mr. Rion was well known for 35 years in the automobile industry. Upon answering a call from the Lord to serve, he and his wife Jackie moved to Greenwood to serve as house parents for Connie Maxwell, Children’s Home. Many in Greenwood knew Mr. Rion from his two years of service at Wal-Mart where he greeted and sang to customers to brighten their day.
Prior to his moving to Greenwood, Mr. Rion resided in Lake City, SC where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, choir member and was chosen the Baptist Man of the Year at Calvary Baptist Church. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge No. 65 A.F.M. in Conway, SC.
Surviving in addition to his wife of Greenwood are four daughters, Debbie Rion Prince of Southern Pines, NC; Tracy Rion Brewer of Matthews, NC, Pam Rion Goble and Sandy Rion Ledford, both of Charlotte. NC; a son, Michael Preston Rion of Loris; a step-daughter, Alice Newell Tomlinson of Kingstree, a step-son, David Lee Newell of Lexington, NC; two brothers, Edward W. ‘’Bubba” Rion of Hickory, NC and Duke W. Rion of Charlotte, NC; a sister, Sarah R. Smith of Burlington, NC; eighteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 PM Thursday at Connie Maxwell Baptist Church with Pastor Doug Kauffman and Pastor David Simmons officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Eric Ramos, Bobby Wines, Tony Atkinson, Jim Cumbee, Joe Mahon and Henry Woodard.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1 PM Thursday.
The family is at the home of Jackie Rion, 119 Tin Cup Alley and will receive friends from 7 to 9 Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Upstate US Chapter, 521 McDuffie Street, Anderson, SC 29621 or to Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, PO Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE RION FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY

Jerry Roberts Sr.

NINETY SIX — Jerry Lee Roberts Sr., 81, of 106 End St., husband of Ruth Wimberly Roberts, died Monday, March 7, 2005 at his home.
Born in Rayville, La., he was a son of the late Jerry and Lula Mae Avants Roberts. He was a retired cattleman and raised show chickens. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Ninety Six, where he was also a member of the Jack Marshall Sunday School Class.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Debra O’Sullivan of Easley; four sons, Jerry Lee Roberts II, James M. Roberts, Jack W. Roberts and Jeffery Roberts, all of Ninety Six; three brothers, Carlton Faye Roberts and Cecil Roberts, both of Delhi, La., and Huey P. Roberts of Farmerville, La.; seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Services are at 3 Thursday at First Baptist Church of Ninety Six, conducted by the Revs. Chuck Sprouse and Steve Justice. Burial is in Elmwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Jonathan O’Sullivan, Ronnie Hipp, George Hallman, Sam Stewart, Ed O’Sullivan, Clifton Hunt and Craig Maddox.
Honorary escorts are members of the Jack Marshall Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church, Ethan Roberts, Eric Roberts and Michael Roberts.
Visitation is from 1:30-2:30 Thursday at the church.
The family is at the home of his son, Jack Roberts, 1 Roxanna Drive, Ninety Six.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 85, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Nettie Sandbergen

LAURENS — Nettie Mae Chapman Sandbergen, 78, formerly of Cut Off Road, widow of William Peter Sandbergen, died Saturday, March 5, 2005 at Hartland Health Care Center in Avon, Ind.
Born in Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late Marie Chapman Smith. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Laurens Branch. She was a personal consultant with Snelling & Snelling.
Survivors include two sons, Gordon Heughan Jr. of Georgia and Mark G. Heughan of Avon, Ind.; a daughter, Marianne Jean Heughan Bolin of Vancouver, Wash.; and 11 grandchildren.
Graveside services are at 2 today at Cedar Shoals Baptist Church Cemetery, conducted by President Richard Rogers.
Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Elmer Smith

WATERLOO — Elmer Leo Smith, 78, of 205 Relax St., husband of Mary Jeanette Goff Smith, died Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at The VA Hospital in Augusta, Ga.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Mattie Warfield

Mattie Eliza Warfield, 88, of 202 Virgin Drive, widow of Isadore Warfield, died Sunday, March 6, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Charlie and Georgia Robinson Dean. She was a registered nurse for the D.C. Public Health Department. She was a member of Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she served as a missionary, Pastor’s Aide and on the Senior Choir. She was also a member of Women’s Aide Society No. 62 and the Order of the Eastern Star No. 418.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include a son, James Miller of New Carrollton, Md.; seven daughters, Pattie Fullenwilder of Glenburnie, Md., Carolyn Stomerman of Washington, D.C., Jean Gordon of Riverdale, Md., Jackie Stinson, Janet Blocker, Barbara Tolbert and Gladys Young, all of Greenwood; and six grandchildren. Services are at noon Friday at Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Clyde Cannon, assisted by Minister Carolyn Bolden and the Rev. Claude Tolbert. Burial is in Evening Star Memorial Gardens. The body will be placed in the church at 11.
Pallbearers are trustees.
Flower bearers and honorary escorts are missionaries.
Visitation is Thursday evening at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting robson@emeraldis.com.

Guy T. Williams

EDGEFIELD — Guy T. Williams, 77, of Guy Williams Road, widower of Mary M. Williams, died Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at Edgefield County Hospital.
A native of Edgefield County, he was a member of Gilgal Baptist Church and was retired as a lieutenant from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Survivors include four sons, Terry Williams of Greenville, David Williams, Alan Williams and Brian Williams, all of Edgefield; a daughter, Amy Zeigler of Orangeburg; a sister, Connie Ferguson of Abbeville; a brother, Lewis Williams of Edgefield; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services are at 2 Thursday at Gilgal Baptist Church. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is from 6-8 tonight at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home.
Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home is in charge.

CORRECTION

In the obituary for Bertha “Chick” Morton, published Tuesday, March 8, incorrect information was provided to The Index-Journal.
Services are at 2 Thursday at the Upper Room Church of God, conducted by Apostle Jessie Simmons, assisted by Junior Bishop Roosevelt Moton and Pastor Kevin Simmons.