WELDON — The Weldon School Board heard promising numbers concerning End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests, but much of the discussion at its monthly meeting Thursday centered on the issue of school consolidation.

Roger Bell | The Daily Herald Weldon School Board member Hugh Credle, right, gives the thought for the day to begin the monthly meeting Thursday evening while fellow member Alberta Greene listens. Advertisement

In Wednesday’s edition of The Daily Herald, Halifax County NAACP President David Harvey and former Weldon town commissioner and state representative Dock Brown outlined their belief in consolidation of all Halifax County public schools, which entails eliminating Weldon City Schools and the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District. 

Weldon School Board member Hugh Credle was the first to react publicly as he delivered the thought for the day — which traditionally opens Weldon School Board meetings — when he touched on the dispute between Weldon City Schools and the Halifax County commissioners over funding for a new Weldon High School, which may house only 288 students or fewer. In part, this dispute has led to the consolidation issue again being raised.

“I think Mr. Harvey missed the point,” Credle said, “the reason our children are going to other facilities is that our high school is, one, 50-years old, and two, lacks the resources to provide an education consistent with the needs of the 21st century.

“If we had a nice school,” Credle continued, “we could attract those students back from charter schools and private schools.”

Credle went on to express dismay over Harvey’s words. “This is his idea of building a solid community,” Credle said. “To attack it.”

The meeting concluded with Superintendent Dr. Elie Bracy III delivering his report, in which he addressed the consolidation issue as well. “I’m superintendent of the Weldon City School District,” Bracy began. “If you look at the improvements we’re making academically, we’re doing an exceptional job. I’m pleased with our direction — where we are, and where we’re going and I look forward to seeing that continue for years to come.”

Terence Wyche, assistant superintendent for Weldon City Schools, also appeared before the board to give unofficial academic numbers. The numbers for Roanoke Valley Early College, where seventh-grade and eighth-grade students have the opportunity to take classes at Halifax Community College, were particularly noteworthy.

“Of those kids taking courses at Halifax Community College,” Wyche said, “84 percent have a 3.0 or better average. Of those 84 percent, 25 had an ‘A’ average in one or two of those courses and 10 had an ‘A’ average in two or three courses.”

Weldon City Schools also passed its 2010-11 fiscal year budget, which had been delayed by the dispute over funding of an architect with the county commissioners. The total for the new fiscal year is $10,158,503.91.

“We have done a fantastic job here in Weldon to make sure our budget stays in line,” said board vice chair Timothy Green. “And we are good stewards of public funds.”