Area students meet ‘basic’ standards on PACT

September 15, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

South Carolina students have shown a middle-of-the-road performance in the 2007 PACT scores, according to data released today by the state’s Department of Education.
The Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests measure students’ progress toward the state’s curriculum standards.
Area school district scores were fairly average, with most districts’ students meeting the basic standards for the test.
State officials reported that more than 300,000 students from third to eighth grade took the aptitude test in May in the areas of math, English, science and social studies.
District officials in the Abbeville County School District, Greenwood School District 51 and 52 commented on the scores.
Officials with Greenwood School District 50, Saluda County School District and the McCormick County School District were not available for this story.
PACT scores can be viewed at the Department of Education’s Web site at this address:
http://ed.sc.gov/topics/assessment/scores/pact/2006/default.cfm
Abbeville students scored slightly higher in most subjects and grades in meeting basic standards on this year’s PACT compared with 2005’s scores.
The Index-Journal tabulated districts’ scores based on each grade’s average in all four subjects.
Scores are divided into Below Basic, Basic, Proficient and Advanced categories.
Abbeville district officials said that students scored higher compared with the rest of the state in four grades in English, three grades in math, four grades in science and four grades in social studies.
District officials said through a press release that the progress made is because of students’, teachers’ and administrators’ hard work.
“Schools are putting the needs of the students first, and it shows,” the press release said.
District 51 students’ 2006 PACT scores skewed wildly in comparison with last year’s scores, with some grades making slight advancements in basic standards and others losing ground by almost 20 percent.
District officials said that scores in the third, fourth, seventh and eighth grades showed a trend of fewer students scoring Below Basic than in past years. Social studies and science scores also need to be improved.
Professional development training, student support and balanced literacy are some of the programs and services that the district is offering to make scores more buoyant.
District 52 students’ 2006 PACT scores mostly reflected improvements, with seventh-grade scores up by about 15 percent in basic standards.
Superintendent Dan Powell said he is pleased that the district’s scores are above state average, but he knows they can be improved.
“We have work to do like every other district,” Powell said.
District 50 students’ 2006 PACT scores decreased in the fourth grade but remained about the same for the other grades.
McCormick students’ 2006 PACT scores had slight increases in the third and fourth grades and slight decreases for the other grades.
Saluda students’ 2006 PACT scores decreased in the third and eighth grades while remaining steady over the rest.
State officials said that one of the best long-term improvements for South Carolina students is in math.
"While it's good to see long-term gains, we know that improvement must accelerate in order to meet the high achievement goals we've set," said State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum.
Officials said that 75 percent of seventh-graders scored in the Basic category or above in math. Abbeville seventh-graders scored 87.4 percent in math. Greenwood District 50, 51 and 52 scored 82.1 percent, 73.3 percent and 91.3 percent, respectively, in math. McCormick and Saluda scored 68.2 percent and 75.8 percent respectively.
State officials said that South Carolina third-graders met the state’s standards the most while sixth-graders met standards the least.

Prosecutor: Bixby trial delayed

Double murder case now scheduled to go to court in 2007

September 13, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

ABBEVILLE — The chief prosecutor in the case against Steven Bixby said Tuesday that the Abbeville man’s double murder trial has been pushed back from its planned starting date.
Eighth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace said he could not discuss any details about why the trial, originally set for Oct. 2, has been delayed, but he said the case will not be tried until after the start of the coming year.
“With serious cases like this, issues come up from time to time,” Peace said. “It happens, but they have to be resolved before we can go forward.”
Bixby is charged with murder in the December 2003 shooting deaths of Abbeville Sheriff’s Sgt. Danny Wilson and constable Donnie Ouzts, who had gone to the Bixby home on S.C. 72 to mediate a land dispute related to the widening of the highway.
His mother, Rita Bixby, is charged with accessory before the fact of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and misprision of a felony, which means failure to report the planning of a crime.
Steven Bixby’s father, Arthur Bixby, has also been charged with murder in connection with the shootings.
The trial delay is the latest in recent developments in Steven and Rita Bixby’s cases. In August, lawyers for Steven Bixby requested that their client’s trial be moved from the Abbeville County Courthouse, citing security concerns, though 10th Circuit Judge Alexander Macaulay later ruled that the trial would remain in that county. Macaulay had ruled in 2005 that the jury for Steven Bixby’s trial will come from Chesterfield County.
Also in August, Macaulay ruled that the death penalty notice against Rita Bixby be dropped, though Peace, after discussions with the state attorney general’s office, decided to appeal that notion. Rita Bixby’s lawyers argued that the crimes charged against their client did not rise to the level of the death penalty in the state of South Carolina, but Peace said a “plain reading” of state law indicated that prosecutors could seek the death penalty notice. A trial date for Rita Bixby has not yet been set.
Peace said Steven Bixby’s trial will now start sometime in 2007, adding that the news is a disappointment.
“It’s a disappointment to me, and I know it is a disappointment to the families (of Wilson and Ouzts),” Peace said. “It has taken a long time, but it is not anybody’s fault.”

Megan Varner covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3308, or: mvarner@indexjournal.com

Mary Brock

ABBEVILLE — Mary Lee McCurry Brock, 94, formerly of 1200 S. Main St., resident of McCormick Health Care Center, McCormick, SC, widow of Emmanuel Brock, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006 at McCormick Health Care.
Born in Abbeville Co. SC, she was a daughter of the late Oscar Lee and Estelle Lee McCurry.
She was a retired winder with Abbeville Mills after 42 years of service. She was also a member of Friendship Baptist Church.
She was twice married, first to the late Rayford Nuefer Carroll.
Survivors are: 1 son Kenneth D. Carroll and his wife Marie of Abbeville, SC, 2 sisters Lou Emma Fisher of Honea Path, SC and Jeanette Thomasson of Abbeville, SC, 2 grandchildren Kenneth D. Carroll, Jr. and Dana Ellis both of Abbeville, SC and 2 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted Friday Sept. 15, 2006 at 11:00 AM in Melrose Cemetery officiated by Rev. James Long and Rev. Bill Ellison.
The body is at Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.
The family is at the home of her granddaughter Dana Ellis 403 Orange St. Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Westside Baptist Church, 306 Haigler St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Brock family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.

Eulis V. Brown

GREENWOOD — Eulis Brown, 48, of 107 Redwood Dr., husband of Janie W. Brown, died September 11 at Self Regional Medical Ctr. Born in Edgefield County a son of the late Willie Clarence “Sam” Brown and Melvin Settles Brown. He was a graduate of Strom Thurmond HS class of 1976, member of Liberty Springs Bapt. Church and formerly employed with Greenwood Mills.
Surviving is his wife of the home, one son, Brandon E. Brown of the home, two daughters, Mrs. Erica (Nickolas) Bryant of the home, Mrs. Teresa (Luchii) Jones of McCormick, four brothers, Willie James (Lillie) Brown, Bradley, SC, Carletha (Loleitha) Brown, McCormick, James Brown of Spartanburg, and Ellis (Windy) Brown of Greenwood, one sister, Mrs. Beverly B. (James) Prince of Edgefield and four grandsons.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00 Springfield Bapt. Church with Rev. Henry R. Merriweather officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Liberty Springs Bapt. Ch. Cem. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-7 Friday evening. Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Ms. Joanie McKenzie Calhoun

ABBEVILLE — Ms. Joanie McKenzie Calhoun died September 13, 2006, at her home in Abbeville, SC. She was born in Fort Pierce, FL, January 2, 1959 to Mrs. Daisy Mae McKenzie Gibert and the late John L. McKenzie. She was a member of Holy Rock R.E. Church in Willington, SC, and a 1977 graduate of McCormick High School. Survivors are her mother of McCormick, SC; three children, Ms. Kenya S. Calhoun of Atlanta, GA, Robert Calhoun, Jr. and Ms. Yakima Calhoun, both of Greenwood, SC; three grandchildren; two brothers, John O. Harris of Beacon, NY, and Rodney S. Currie of McCormick, SC; four sisters, Gertrude P. Harris, Linda McKenzie and Avis A. McKenzie, all of McCormick, SC and Julia Harris of Brooklyn, NY. The family is at the home of her mother, Ms. Daisy Gibert, at Cedar Hill Road, McCormick, SC. Funeral Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Heavenly Nasyah Wells Quarles

GREENWOOD — Heavenly Nasyah Wells Quarles, infant daughter of Christopher Quarles and Aquarius Wells, died September 13, 2006 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include father of Greenwood and mother of the home; maternal grandparents Jane Wells of the home and Willie Wells of Cleveland, Tenn.; paternal grandparents Sarah King and Ernest Jones, both of Greenwood; great-grandparents Ellen and Thomas Quarles, both of Greenwood. The family is at the home, 106 Quince St. Graveside service will be 1pm Saturday at Bailey Bethel A.M.E. Church. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge.

Tailgating tradition

These local Gamecock fans make going to home games a full-blown family event

September 15, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

One of the great traditions of college football fans in the south and the Lakelands area is the time-honored ritual of tailgating.
Fans head off to South Carolina or Clemson, or maybe even smaller schools such as Presbyterian or Newberry, armed with all sorts of pregame accoutrements.
For some groups, a simple box of chicken and a transistor radio is all that is needed to satisfy the size of the group in attendance. For others, such as the James Rowland family, of Greenwood, a slightly larger gathering is the order.
The Rowlands have been making an event out of tailgating at South Carolina home games for 27 years. What began as a fun way to spend a Saturday has turned into a full-on football bonanza.
The Rowlands now have anywhere between 20 and 50 people at their tailgating parties at each home game. Occupying a mortorhome space in the Key Road lot just south of Williams-Brice Stadium, the family and its friends revel in the scene that is a fall Saturday afternoon in Columbia.
“It’s mostly family,” said Jane Rowland, who serves as a matriarch of sorts for the pre- and postgame spectacle. “We have a bunch of tickets. My husband and I started coming and people would meet us. Then my son, Eddie, and his family started to join in. And my grandson, James III, is always there, too. our kids and grandkids all just love it” When all the children, grandchildren, extended family and friends began to add up, the gatherings took on a life of their own.
As any football fan worth his weight knows, the spread of food and drink at a tailgating is essential. With, literally, dozens of attendees arriving at their motorhome for tailgating each week, planning for who is going to bring certain items can be a headache. The family’s solution: e-mail.
“We just get the e-mail started and everybody tells what they’re bringing,” Jane said. “We send them along to each other and just go right down the line.”
Jane said the many of the tailgaters have certain items they are “famous” for, and that other attendees know to stay away from attempting to make those items.
“Oh, we’ve had people over the years come and try to copy someone else’s recipe,” she said, with a laugh. “It never turns out the same. So now everybody sticks to what they do best.”
Like so many tailgaters at college and pro games throughout the country, the Rowlands are sure to have a television set up on site in order to keep track of all the games going on before and after the Gamecocks play. While some bring satellite dishes to beam in the game, Jane said an old fashioned antennae suits her family and friends just fine.
As far as South Carolina’s football team and the actual games go, Jane said their tailgating crew will never give up following the Gamecocks.
“Whether they win or lose or have a good season or a bad season, we will be there,” she said. “They are our team and we’re sticking with them.”

School District bond plan leaves wake of suspicion

September 15, 2006

The debate over proposed school bonds by the School District 50 Board may seem inconsequential to some. However, when you consider the millions of dollars already dedicated to a variety of projects in Greenwood the “big picture” becomes more focused.
There is a bigger picture, to be sure. There are so many plans, for so many millions of dollars, for so many different projects that everyone needs to step back and survey those plans ..... and how much expense the people of Greenwood County can bear and for how long.
It gets down to one thing. The same people will have to pay for everything.
School District 50 is looking at a bond issue that “might be up to 150 million dollars” ..... or more. Who knows?

THE LATEST FIGURE GIVEN was $129 million to be paid off over 25 years. That came after the announced original figure of $115 million, as so noted in a board report of August 21 and elsewhere. It was, in fact, the first item noted in the report. That was the only figure mentioned. No ranges or anything else. That one item alone speaks volumes about who is planning what ..... and how.
Members of the board now dispute that, though.
Federally required work to shore up the Lake Greenwood dam will take about $30 million. Then there are millions of dollars more for a new library, the Uptown arts center and a jail.
The people will be asked to approve a one-cent sales tax increase to offset some of those millions ..... but not all. Add a new accommodations tax and the costs to taxpayers keep going up.

MANY OF THESE PEOPLE are the ones who will pay off the school bonds, not to mention usual operating expenses.
There is no doubt that school needs occur. Obligating the people to pay off a debt of $129 million for 25 years, though, needs a thorough and upfront open public airing beforehand. Everything should be on the discussion table, too, whether it’s totals, ranges of minimums and maximums, or anything else.
Perhaps the single most important issue in the whole situation is this: We’re talking about public schools. Repeat, public. That’s who owns them and that’s who funds them. The public has every right to expect uncluttered information about spending and needs. At the moment, a lot of people are angry over what they’ve been told. Some, it appears, are downright suspicious about how the whole bond matter has been handled.
That should never happen where public business is concerned.