[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6475608,"mediaKeyId","5732289-ea64fc24092850864b6734f19985e968","parentId",5732289,"title","District praises bus driver who delivered students safely after power pole fell on bus; board discusses custodial staffing and work orders","audioSeconds",2173,"startMs",277000,"endMs",2450000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5732289-ea64fc24092850864b6734f19985e968&start=277&end=2450","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5732289-ea64fc24092850864b6734f19985e968/thumbnail_277000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475608/Virginia/District-praises-bus-driver-who-delivered-students-safely-after-power-pole-fell-on-bus-board-discusses-custodial-staffing-and-work-orders","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475608-173694963a17719f78201697e904b724/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099039&Signature=Lc4bBZXy2DysKKOd59o3hSjUf7yaDzWIgqL6cH4HWvlQZOWO3F6AwuNHHhA3TTr7tbF0kaZiC~rNpgvaQfCFqmmwwnXoMnYTQTrkmwrnFrOk5FebKzcLTbHHDvYjdSbLiGnLWtx4mzYs3nhWSGBgt1HgtM4xO9hcDV~TG4WFD~3MzpKUC8db6gpqB5Nnv1ulPGeGt5Epzih5yxbMP0La2IMf8gb7nqvXn9jZXdDBQhTKm9EafkqxIvYCdv9FAe7dmLmqIsEXiTdWTxw5udGLweaQ6nQdI30hEcTFs7z3GkixA-gzWWzovcF2G5EGrynfrJa8QPEuXA8bm7khiVhk7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Halifax County Public Schools","date","2025-09-04T12:27:15Z","article","Board members at a Halifax County Public Schools meeting praised a bus driver who was involved in a storm‑related crash in which a power pole fell onto her vehicle after she had dropped students at their stops. Officials said the driver, identified as Deborah Elliott, delivered students safely and was not seriously injured.

Speakers at the meeting described the incident as frightening and said first responders and district transportation staff assisted at the scene. One board speaker quoted Elliott as saying, “Can somebody bring me another bus so I can pick my children up tomorrow,” and the board offered public thanks for her actions and for the district transportation and first‑responder teams.

The meeting also included facilities and operations updates. Board members asked for a division‑wide work‑order report showing outstanding jobs, turnaround times and the number of completed tasks per month; they said they expected that report in a future meeting. Facilities staff said some furniture from the old high school was repurposed for rooms in the new building and that other items are being sold online. Board members raised custodial concerns tied to the new facility’s larger spaces and wide corridors, urging that janitorial staff be equipped with the appropriate tools and that staffing schedules account for evening events and rentals.

Officials also noted that the district has a volunteer form tied to background checks; the meeting description said the volunteer background‑check fee has been removed and that completed forms can be filed at central office. District staff reported that the rental and background systems have been tested in limited use and are expected to be more heavily used as the high school becomes available for community rentals.

No formal board action was taken during the discussion recorded in the transcript. District staff said they will return with a work‑order report and continue to monitor custodial supplies and staffing needs as facility use increases.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Halifax County School Board Meeting 9/8/25 @ 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Halifax County school leaders commended bus driver Deborah Elliott for safely delivering students after a storm-downed power pole hit her bus. The meeting also covered custodial staffing, work‑order tracking and volunteer background checks for use of new facilities.","taxTitle","HALIFAX CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",55584,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475612,"Students and staff praise new Halifax County High School; district notes punch‑list items and public open houses",1023,138000,1161000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5732289-ea64fc24092850864b6734f19985e968&start=138&end=1161","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5732289-ea64fc24092850864b6734f19985e968/thumbnail_138000.jpg","/articles/6475612/Virginia/Students-and-staff-praise-new-Halifax-County-High-School-district-notes-punchlist-items-and-public-open-houses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475612-f088658bf1b0120c67dd07d952828bdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099039&Signature=bkNllTH0T~w7YxiVJPf3-WqTL9-jg6-7jIiJjZbltO~KDr8ogCg~yv4w-7d1wuLj7s86UMeVrR2IHnVqSOGezLQDlMk3ynv86w5zJI9zErhon8M4-GIW~sSSSA~j41OCOtN52WKNnwNXQVDMVbKAt2A~7yjq9ZcTeube6Z1SQWeu9Ym5Ud8bmRYJUA1OdABazPk-nhl4vGkNgYimR5l0XEl2WKVrvjjppJbilJ7MyJ7-q99m5g240fZr6i2DV1OK2mFxNaXCsphgFW-mfvIoE6PwQC4z0cmUafn90rDdstMLtRatqcEVt7vvKukLQwCXa7EbNyF3JB5QOfMq0xHJYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School leaders and student representatives at a Halifax County Public Schools board meeting described the district’s new high school as a significant upgrade and said students, staff and community members should expect public open houses and limited access to the old building.

In remarks at the meeting, board and district leaders said the high school opened on schedule and that students and staff were “enjoying the space.” They said punch‑list work remains and some finishing items will be completed in the coming weeks. The district announced open house dates and cautioned that limited access to the old high school will be maintained for safety reasons.

Student Council Association speakers and other students told the board that the new building’s bright hallways, natural light, advanced science labs and dedicated arts spaces make classrooms and extracurricular programs feel more welcoming. A student representative said the school “is more than walls and classrooms” and described pride and hope among students as they begin the year in the new facility.

District leaders said some items from the old building have been posted for sale on the district’s online auction site (govdeals) and that a limited set of items were repurposed for the new high school. They advised community members to check the website and local announcements for auction dates and account setup instructions.

Athletics updates presented to the board noted early‑season results: varsity football, volleyball, cross‑country and golf were all reported as active and competing. The student council reported participation in traffic safety promotions and peer mediation programs to help ease the transition to the new campus.

District leaders asked the community to be patient during the punch‑list period and to report any unfinished items they notice; they said many are already on the contractor’s list and will be addressed. No formal action was taken on the items discussed; the district said it would continue to schedule walk‑throughs and targeted briefings so board members and community leaders can visit the new facility.

Background: Meeting remarks credited years of planning and community support for the new high school and called on neighbors to continue supporting school programs and athletics.","Officials and student leaders described the new Halifax County High School as more welcoming and better equipped, noted ongoing punch‑list work, and announced public open house dates and an online auction of items from the old building.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475616,"School board members say county withheld some capital funds, delaying athletic improvements",140,407000,547000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5732289-ea64fc24092850864b6734f19985e968&start=407&end=547","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5732289-ea64fc24092850864b6734f19985e968/thumbnail_407000.jpg","/articles/6475616/Virginia/School-board-members-say-county-withheld-some-capital-funds-delaying-athletic-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475616-8d1bef7d489b1248abd967be8308eb39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099039&Signature=PDk3EGna9ZktUJNUW4CcdeP6dQy6GeucSmU6y3Y6A0XCNGv6I~QDQz66DCaxU4gFpdwI5Dg4lpSmyNEY03T15UdV0bwj4XHIgL89AQCctw1ssx5lKo~OK7N-ib39IPWdvumTGU~d01PtQBRX6wPV2ANK4BPR5xsC7KP8wuv~dFS2kQTQ~tMwzCuiuamvVA1tnu-T8FHfYOWsYDMoM~lyZEJjlD2wW6M5EWetUfZG13wt5WEoelW0VaHCB1qksmUQL6UuSE4n-U1jhbNicCCdg9QZcsGVFCvAiDgSTV~LfjJoX94qzLDHAQy~2tHLhrUqffvdpqfmtkUcSi9mK-NbEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at a Halifax County Public Schools meeting said the Board of Supervisors granted access to two funding “buckets” but withheld others, delaying planned improvements to athletic fields and related work tied to the new high school.

Board members said the supervisors voted 6‑2 on Aug. 19 to allow access to two accounts but would not release additional accounts school officials had expected to use for the athletic complex and other capital projects. School board members said access to the withheld accounts was delayed pending an audit of county books, and that a scheduled meeting with county officials to review funding options was canceled after an email and phone call from county leadership.

The issue drew sustained comment from multiple board members, who said the delay has impeded progress on projects the school division planned to fund through capital accounts. One board speaker said the school division had not intended to use carryover operating funds to pay for the projects and questioned why some capital accounts were unavailable.

An email excerpt read aloud at the meeting attributed to William Clayborn, identified in meeting remarks as chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, said he and an interim county finance official had discussed payments and agreed that a previously scheduled meeting was unnecessary. The email concluded, “Signed sincerely William Clayborn.” School board members said a follow‑up phone call with county staff was curt and did not resolve outstanding questions about when or whether the remaining accounts would be available.

Board members also referenced a 1% sales tax enacted in July 2020 intended for school capital projects and said they expected that revenue to be available for some work; school officials said they were not granted access to that bucket. The board speaker who described the situation requested more transparency and urged county leadership to make funds accessible so projects aimed at benefiting students could proceed.

The board did not make a formal motion or vote on the matter during the portion of the meeting recorded in the transcript. The school board presentation described the situation as ongoing and said staff would continue to seek clarification and options with county officials.

Background: School officials said the funds in question are intended for capital projects such as athletic fields and facility improvements tied to the recently opened high school. Board members said some scheduled work remains on the high school punch list and that delayed access to capital accounts affects scheduling and procurement timelines.

The school board did not provide a timetable at the meeting for when the withheld accounts might be released or when the county audit would conclude. The county Board of Supervisors was referenced in meeting comments; school officials said they would continue to pursue meetings with county leadership to resolve access to the funds.","Board members told the Halifax County School Board meeting that the county Board of Supervisors limited access to some capital buckets, delaying planned athletic-field and high‑school improvements and prompting a canceled meeting with county officials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District praises bus driver who delivered students safely after power pole fell on bus; board discusses custodial staffing and work orders

Students and staff praise new Halifax County High School; district notes punch‑list items and public open houses

School board members say county withheld some capital funds, delaying athletic improvements