No decision on construction
District 50 school board has public meeting slated for Thursday
August 22, 2006
By
BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer
Greenwood School District 50 on Monday continued discussing the
possibility of a different bond program for further school
construction, but some board members seem to have different ideas
about how the money should be spent.
Board member Lary Davis asked Gary Johnson, assistant
superintendent of business and operations, if the district could
spend money from a possible new bond program for construction to
build nine new elementary schools instead of spreading the money
across the districts schools.
If the district completed new elementary schools, nothing would
be available for the high schools, said superintendent Darrell
Johnson.
The district is considering whether to change from its current
general obligations bond program to an installment purchase bonds
program.
The superintendent said the district is moving quickly to decide
about a new bond program because the state Legislature has only
given school districts until Dec. 31 to use the funding source.
Bonds are typically sold by government agencies, like District
50, to the public and investors to fund large projects.
The money derived from the bond sale is given to the issuing
agency and paid back over an established period of time. An
installment purchase bonds program would keep the established
millage rate of 61.4, but let the district use up to $115 million
for construction on schools as soon as the bonds are issued,
Darrell Johnson said.
A mill is a 10th of one cent, Gary Johnson said. Out of 1,000
taxable dollars, only $1 is millable taxes.
The current bond plan allows for $93 million for facility
construction, Darrell Johnson said.
Every school in the district would receive some sort of repair
under the installment program.
Most of the construction projects could be finished in five
years, but the new plan does have drawbacks, Darrell Johnson
said.
The plan does not allow for a new high school to be built; the
majority of the districts money would be tied up in the
program for 15 years and more students moving to the district
could leave it short of classroom space.
Board member Frank Coyle also had questions about the installment
plan.
He said he was concerned about how the possible new construction
projects would be handled by the district.
Coyle said he had been in touch with other South Carolina
districts that had used installment bond plans.
They all had positive things to say about the plan, but the
Greenville district board stressed putting a construction manager
in charge of the different projects to make sure they are
completed and on time, Coyle said.
Bond consultant Bill Hirata told Coyle that the district could
wait and hire a construction manager once the program got
rolling.
The board took no action Monday night, opting instead to have a
public meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Brewer Middle School. Then,
on Aug. 31, the board will have a 6 p.m. meeting to discuss the
bond issue.
12-year-old on the mend following shooting
August 22, 2006
By
MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer
A 12-year-old boy who was accidentally shot last week by his
11-year-old friend is recovering at his Greenwood home, the boys
mother said.
Rymeskus Fuller had been a guest Thursday afternoon at his
11-year-old friends home on Singletree Road, when the
friend found a .22-caliber gun that had been hidden under a
mattress, according to information from authorities and a
Greenwood County Sheriffs Office report.
According to the incident report, the 11-year-old told
authorities he thought the gun was empty after finding no bullets
in the guns clip, but when he went to put the gun down, he
hit the trigger and the gun went off. The 11-year-olds
grandmother was in another room of the home at the time of the
shooting, and no charges have been filed in the incident.
Fuller was struck in the neck area, and his mother, Demita
Fuller, said the bullet came to a stop between the boys
vertebrae. He was taken to Self Regional Medical Center following
the shooting and was later moved to a hospital in Greenville for
treatment.
He has since been released from the hospital, and his mother said
the boy is moving around and talking at home.
Hes doing OK, Demita Fuller said of her sons
condition. We are waiting to see whether they (the doctors)
are going to remove the bullet.
Fuller said her son never touched the gun during the incident,
adding that the boy was playing video games in the room when the
11-year-old found the hidden gun.
He was really a brave soldier, Demita Fuller said of
the ordeal. When it first happened, he fell back on the bed
and the first thing he did was ask God, Please dont
let me die.
It has made him look at everything differently now,
she added.
The accident has made Demita Fuller look at life with a different
view, too.
You really dont take life for granted, she
said.
Fuller had been a student at Brewer Middle School, but his mother
said she is trying to get the boy on homebound education
following the incident because the family and doctors arent
sure when Fuller will be able to return to class.
The shooting was the second accidental shooting involving
juveniles playing with guns to take place in Greenwood County in
less than a month, and authorities said the incidents highlight
the importance of keeping guns stored without bullets in a secure
place.
Thats advice Demita Fuller said she hopes every parent
takes to heart.
At all times, you need to be aware of your childs
surroundings, she said.
Coach
has high expectations
for Landers volleyball team
August 22, 2006
By
JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor
With five starters and two with playing experience returning,
Lander Universitys new volleyball coach, Carla Decker,
thinks she has the makings of a team that can be a factor in the
Peach Belt Conference race.
Ive got high expectations on myself and the players,
and I would do them an injustice if I didnt at least think
we deserve to be at the top, Decker said.
I am anxiously awaiting our first game. The girls have done
a good job working on defensive changes and trying to gradually
progress our offense. They have done a good job at skill work and
offense-defense work.
The true test will be when we get into competition.
Returning for the 2006 season are junior Sara Senn, of Wisconsin,
sophomore Kerri Sorenseen, of Maple Grove, Minn., sophomore Kay
Stewart, of St. Louis, junior Melissa Trippany, of Fort Myers,
Fla., and junior Andrea Griffin, of Simpsonville.
Junior Melissa Hedberg, of Naples, Fla., and sophomore Carly
Plecha, of Anderson, did not start but saw playing time for the
Lady Bearcats, who finished 10-23 last year.
Ashley Latham, of Greenwood, is among the newcomers who include
freshmen Katerina Prosser, of Sumter, Ashley Ferry, of
Woodbridge, Va., Jennifer Edwards, of Georgetown, Ontario, and
sophomore Marina Camps, of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
We have a lot of returning players with a lot of experience
and leadership roles, Decker said. And, the younger
players and freshmen have done a good job of working as a team
and trying to find their roles on the team.
As a whole, everybody is getting to know what their role is
and pushing themselves to really increase the overall strength of
the team.
The schedule, which starts Friday and Saturday in the Anderson
College Tournament, features more games on the road than at home,
but Decker doesnt feel this will make a big difference.
A game is a game, she said. Its great to
play and win at home, but my first priority is to schedule people
we need to schedule. I would like to have more home games, but it
doesnt make a big difference how many games are at home or
away. I dont think it will change the wins-loss record as a
whole.
The No. 1 goal is to have a winning season.
One of the great things about preseason polls is you get to
see what other coaches think about think, Decker added.
Its a great way to gauge returning players.
Lander was picked fifth in the preseason PBC poll.
We would like to finish in the top three, absolutely,
she said. I have high expectations of myself and the
players.
The schedule includes nine home games, the first of which is
Sept. 4 with North Greenville.
Opinion
Big
business of football overtaking high schools?
August 22, 2006
Too
much of a good thing! Thats often heard when we over
indulge. We do it often, too. It can be in eating, or working, or
..... high school football. But, then, in athletics, thats
more the rule than the exception these days.
Take that Friday night lights habit in the south, for example. A
controversy has arisen over a former Greenwood High School stars
move to Byrnes High School for his senior year. Some people were
immediately suspicious of Xavier Dyes transfer, speculating
that he was doing it so he could play with Byrnes Willy
Korn, regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Both
Dye and Korn early on committed to playing for Clemson
University.
THOSE WITH A SUSPICIOUS nature put two and two
together, and to them it did look a bit funny.
Nothing has been proved to suggest anything wrong, to be sure,
but the S. C. High School League director Jerome Singleton
rejected the move, saying he could not find a bona fide change of
address. Now another appeal is expected, this time to the SCHSL
executive committee. If Dyes move is rejected another time,
there is word that he will take the High School League to court
in an attempt to play for Byrnes.
High school football has gotten big time in South Carolina. For
Byrnes High, though, it has gone national. Byrnes will play a
couple of big games in other states. To add to that, the team
will play on ESPN TV.
Of course, even though Dyes given reason for transferring
and living with an uncle may have nothing to do with the big
picture, it raises enough eyebrows to expect attention.
THE CHANGE IN HIGH school football bothers some
people and some coaches. It should. The big time desires and
elevated status high school football now has detracts from its
reason for being. Greenwood High School Coach Shell Dulas
opinion is right on.
He says the rush for national exposure is not good for South
Carolina high school football. He praises Byrnes
accomplishments over the past four years. However, Dula says,
..... Im afraid were forgetting what high
school athletics is all about. I have concerns because I think
high school athletics are to be played where you take great pride
in playing teams in our area, and winning state championships.
Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that this is for the kids.
For the kids! It may be debatable, but imagine how it would be if
more coaches and parents took that approach. Friday night lights
would mean so much more.
Obituaries
Martha Beaube
GREENWOOD,
SC Martha Fain Beaube, 92, of 112 Timmerman Road,
wife of Lewis Jackson Beaube, died Sunday, August 20, 2006, at
NHC Health Care of Greenwood.
Born in Atlanta, GA, she was a daughter of the late Thomas D. and
Hattie Davis Fain. She was retired from Greenwood Mills, Mathews
Plant and was a member of Restoration Ministries, where she was
past president of the Ladies Auxiliary and was a member of the
Sr. Adult Ladies Bible Class.
She was preceded in death by a son, Clarence Burgess Beaube and a
granddaughter, Robin J. Reed.
Surviving is her husband; three daughters, Loretta Beaube Reed
and Philicia Ann Beaube, both of Greenwood and Pamela Arrowood of
Florida; six grandchildren, Richard L. Dixon, Jr., Heidi D.
Kerhoulas, Patty R. Nickles, Jenny R. Reed, Joey Schultz and Beau
Beaube and nine great grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Restoration Ministries with
the Rev. Jason Garner, the Rev. Milton Hannah and the Rev. Paul
Herring officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial
Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Sam Burkett, Buddy Partain, Frank Hastings,
Wayne Brown, Wallace Wideman and Roy Summey.
Honorary escort will be members of the Sr. Adult Mens and
Ladies Bible Classes of Restoration Ministries, staff of
NHC and Joyce Jabber.
The body is at Harley Funeral Home and will be placed in the
church at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Restoration Ministries, PO Box 2141,
Greenwood SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Janice Scott Garr
MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. Janice Scott Garr, 64, died
Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006 at her home.
Born in Greenwood, S.C., she was a daughter of Sara McManus Scott
and the late William Stafford Scott. She received a Bachelor of
Arts degree from the University of South Carolina, an MAT degree
from Converse College and did post-graduate study in library
science at the University of North Carolina. She moved from South
Carolina to Merritt Island in 1972, where she was a media
specialist at Audubon Elementary School for 35 years.
Survivors include her husband Al; two sons, Peter of Miami and
Bryan of Vero Beach; her mother of Greenwood; a sister, Fran Odom
of Greenville, S.C.; a brother, Donald Scott of Ladys Island,
S.C.
Services were in Merritt Island.
Memorials may be made to Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice, 8060 Spyglass
Hill Road, Viera, FL 32940.
Beckman Williamson Funeral Home, Viera (Rockledge), was in
charge.
Georgiana R. Garrison
GREENVILLE
Georgiana Robinson Garrison, 77, wife of Joel Barksdale
Jack Garrison of Greenville, died Monday, Aug. 21,
2006 at Hospice Care of the Piedmont, Greenwood.
Born in Charleston, she was a daughter of the late Wycliffe and
Georgianna Petite Robinson. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran
Church of Greenville.
Survivors include her husband.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at The Mackey Mortuary. Entombment
is in Greenville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Visitation is 10-11
Wednesday at the mortuary.
Memorials may be made to McCall Hospice House Fund, 1 St. Francis
Drive, Greenville, SC 29601.
The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackeymortuary.com.
Julia Ann Goodwin
NINETY
SIX Services for Julia Ann Rayford Butler
Goodwin, of 210 Little Mountain Road, are 2 p.m. Thursday at Old
Mount Zion Baptist Church, Epworth, conducted by the Rev. Clyde
D. Cannon, assisted by the Rev. Thessa Smith and Minister Shaun
Goodwin. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in
the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are grandsons.
Flower bearers are granddaughters and Denise Butler.
Honorary escorts are missionaries, pastor aides and Lodge No.
418.
The family is the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.
James Higginbotham
KENNESAW,
Ga. James Daniel Higginbotham, 76, of 4150 George Busbee
Parkway, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006 at North Fulton Hospital in
Roswell.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation
Services, Greenwood, S.C.
Connie Whitt
HONEA
PATH Connie Ann Babb Whitt, 58, of 375 McCullough School
Road, widow of Wayne Douglas Whitt, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2006 at
her home.
A daughter of Vivian Free Babb Wells and the late Liston Murphy
Babb, she attended Ware Shoals Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Survivors include her mother and stepfather, J.T. Wells of Ware
Shoals; a daughter, Dana W. Whitten of Anderson; a stepson Wayne
Douglas Whitt Jr. of Williamston; three brothers, Lloyd Babb of
Donalds, Ricky Babb and Rodney Babb, both of Ware Shoals; a
sister, Joyce Barker of Ware Shoals; four grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Wednesday at Ware Shoals Pentecostal Holiness
Church. Burial is in Greenville Memorial Gardens. Visitation is
7-9 tonight at Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals.
The family is at the home of her mother, 22 N. Greenwood Ave.,
Ware Shoals.
Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge.
Norman L. Wilson
FAIRBURN, Ga. Norman L. Wilson, 87, died Saturday, Aug.
19, 2006.
A native of Hightstown, N.J., he was a 1939 graduate of
Hightstown High School, served in the New Jersey National Guard
and was a decorated World War II veteran. He was a member of the
Army 1487th Engineer Maintenance Company during the Pacific
campaign, stationed in Luzon, Philippines. Living most of his
adult life in Florida, he later lived in Abbeville and Greenwood,
S.C. He was a member of First Assembly of God and a supporter of
Father Flanagans Girls and Boys Town.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel Wilson; three daughters, Marti
Wilson, Jo Wilson and Jane DeCantillon.
Memorials may be made to Father Flanagans Girls and Boys
Town at www.girlsandboystown.org.
Parrott Funeral Home was in charge.