GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Pocahontas closing By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph TAZEWELL, Va. — Despite the angry protest of a crowd of hundreds, the Tazewell County School Board voted 4-1 Thursday to close Pocahontas High School at the end of the current school year. The motion to close PHS was made by Eastern District board member Cookie Johnson, seconded by Southern District board member Randy Conn, and supported by board members Mike Dennis and Steve Davis. David Woodard, the school board’s Northern District member, cast the lone vote against closing PHS. The crowd — which included many students — screamed and booed in protest following the vote. Many students left the auditorium of Tazewell High School in tears. Several parents and concerned citizens verbally shouted at the school board members. Several police officers stood near the auditorium stage, and the officers were asked to escort at least one woman from the stage area. Earlier in the meeting, Dennis warned the crowd that the board could have people escorted from the building. “Immoral, unethical and they have secured their destiny in Tazewell County politics,†Woodard said following the vote. “They have acted against the will of the entire county.†Pocahontas Mayor Anita Brown said the fight will continue. “Never give up,†Brown said following the 4-1 vote. The mayor said the town’s next step is to attend Tuesday’s meeting of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors. Tommy Childress, a concerned resident of Pocahontas, said the Board of Supervisors will be asked next Tuesday to withhold the projected $1.6 million in savings from closing Pocahontas High School from the school board’s budget. “I’m not surprised,†Childress said of the vote. “I’m just mad.†Johnson’s motion calls for the closure of the high school at the end of the current year, and the consolidation of the existing Pocahontas students with Graham High School and Tazewell High School. An earlier motion by Woodard to keep Pocahontas High School open until 2010 was seconded by Davis for discussion, but failed on a 3-2 vote. Johnson said the students at Pocahontas would be welcomed by the students and staff of Graham and Tazewell. “At Graham High School and Tazewell High School, I have spoken to a lot of students and faculty,†Johnson said. “They are excited about the prospect of having you.†The crowd of hundreds once again erupted into boos following Johnson’s comment. Dennis said the board has to consider the entire school system in making its decision. “As the other board members have stated, there are pros and cons to this issue,†Dennis said. “We each represent different districts in the county, but we represent the school system as a whole.†Woodard challenged his fellow board members “to look into the eyes of these kids†while casting their votes. Davis said he didn’t think Pocahontas would see significant changes within two years. “I just have a hard time being convinced in a near two-year period that there will be significant economic changes,†Davis said. Woodard disagreed. “Two years would give us time to prepare, and do this in a decent and ethical manner,†Woodard said. Lawson said the school system would save about $1.6 million by closing Pocahontas High School. She said the current school enrollment was 185 students. Lawson said Pocahontas had the highest per-pupil ratio expense in the county — a comment that also drew boos and shouts of objections from the verbal crowd. – Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach0607 10 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 I heard that Tazewell County will eventually build 1 high school and combine Taz and Graham. Do you think that could ever happen?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Actually the plan calls for two new high schools...one in the western part of the county and one in the eastern part of the county. Will it ever happen? Possibly. When will it happen? Well, it took almost 30 years for them to close Pocahontas, so, who knows??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHS06 10 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 I just want to commend the Tazewell County School Board. They are often scrutinized and have probably been in disfavor with the majority of tazewell county residents at one time, but they made a tough and right decision. I just hope the Pocahontas residents, especially the kids and parents, can eventually realize the right decision was made and it was made mainly for the kids. They have the right to be mad now, but hopefully in time they can respect the school board's decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrollfan 15 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 I would think that the closing of the school will open up a lot more chances for the students that they may not have gotten at the old school. I am sure Graham and Tazewell can offer better varity of class choices and also the athletics are better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 [ QUOTE ] I would think that the closing of the school will open up a lot more chances for the students that they may not have gotten at the old school. I sure Graham and Tazewell can offer better varity of class choices and also the athletics are better. [/ QUOTE ] It will but the people of Pocahontas can't see that...ignorance is blind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance 228 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I would think that the closing of the school will open up a lot more chances for the students that they may not have gotten at the old school. I sure Graham and Tazewell can offer better varity of class choices and also the athletics are better. [/ QUOTE ] It will but the people of Pocahontas can't see that...ignorance is blind... [/ QUOTE ] I know how they feel...I hated to see them close the old Lynwood and tear down all of the buildings in the town of Grundy...a lot of good memories there...but, just look at what they have now... ok...bad example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atrain_55_04 10 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I would think that the closing of the school will open up a lot more chances for the students that they may not have gotten at the old school. I sure Graham and Tazewell can offer better varity of class choices and also the athletics are better. [/ QUOTE ] It will but the people of Pocahontas can't see that...ignorance is blind... [/ QUOTE ] dont say that the pocahontas community is ignorant apparently you are the ignorant one....and to say graham and tazwell sports are better is just ignorant as you like to call it....our sports have vastly improved in the last few years and it can only get better we have almost all returning starters from every sport...and they have no idea what they have done to all the students and even the faculty it has broken our hearts and torn our lifes apart so who is talking ignorant now....and the school board was extremely rude to all of us and they have no heart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I would think that the closing of the school will open up a lot more chances for the students that they may not have gotten at the old school. I sure Graham and Tazewell can offer better varity of class choices and also the athletics are better. [/ QUOTE ] It will but the people of Pocahontas can't see that...ignorance is blind... [/ QUOTE ] dont say that the pocahontas community is ignorant apparently you are the ignorant one....and to say graham and tazwell sports are better is just ignorant as you like to call it....our sports have vastly improved in the last few years and it can only get better we have almost all returning starters from every sport...and they have no idea what they have done to all the students and even the faculty it has broken our hearts and torn our lifes apart so who is talking ignorant now....and the school board was extremely rude to all of us and they have no heart [/ QUOTE ] My comment had ZERO to do with athletics... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atrain_55_04 10 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I would think that the closing of the school will open up a lot more chances for the students that they may not have gotten at the old school. I sure Graham and Tazewell can offer better varity of class choices and also the athletics are better. [/ QUOTE ] It will but the people of Pocahontas can't see that...ignorance is blind... [/ QUOTE ] dont say that the pocahontas community is ignorant apparently you are the ignorant one....and to say graham and tazwell sports are better is just ignorant as you like to call it....our sports have vastly improved in the last few years and it can only get better we have almost all returning starters from every sport...and they have no idea what they have done to all the students and even the faculty it has broken our hearts and torn our lifes apart so who is talking ignorant now....and the school board was extremely rude to all of us and they have no heart [/ QUOTE ] My comment had ZERO to do with athletics... [/ QUOTE ] i was speaking of an above post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrollfan 15 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 I was not saying that your athletics was not any good. I was saying that you will have more chances at Tazewell and Graham. Also most of my post was towards the academics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPF 409 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I would think that the closing of the school will open up a lot more chances for the students that they may not have gotten at the old school. I sure Graham and Tazewell can offer better varity of class choices and also the athletics are better. [/ QUOTE ] It will but the people of Pocahontas can't see that...ignorance is blind... [/ QUOTE ] I know how they feel...I hated to see them close the old Lynwood and tear down all of the buildings in the town of Grundy...a lot of good memories there...but, just look at what they have now... ok...bad example. [/ QUOTE ] Well, you do have the virtual Wal-Mart in Grundy now...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EH31 2,518 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 [ QUOTE ] It will but the people of Pocahontas can't see that...ignorance is blind... [/ QUOTE ]If you were in our postition how would you truthfully look at it? If you had kids that have been going to one school for 6 years, would you just be cool with 5 people making a decision on where they'll have to go the next? Ok kids, pack up you're life..we're starting over again. Thats what this feels like. I'm going to be 18 years old and a "freshman" at another school, instead of being a true senior at my own. I'm definately not speaking right now about whether this was the right decision or not, but put yourself in my position and tell me how you would feel if it was you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHS189 10 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Eugene...i highly disagree with the school boards decision....however i hope that you brandon, zach, and cornor will come to graham...i would really like to have you playing along side me and jake miller next year in baseball...just like our 11-12 allstar team...i know its hard...but i hope you will spread the word around pocy that not all of us are stuck up...i mean we have been friends since minor league....however..i do want to say one thing....yes some of graham is stuck up..(ill admit that) but while at the FBLA conference i heard so VERY redneck comments said about our new african-american regional president from the pocy group..which doesnt help the matter with the snobs....i hope to talk to you soon...call me some time (304) 922 4703 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EH31 2,518 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Eugene...i highly disagree with the school boards decision....however i hope that you brandon, zach, and cornor will come to graham...i would really like to have you playing along side me and jake miller next year in baseball...just like our 11-12 allstar team...i know its hard...but i hope you will spread the word around pocy that not all of us are stuck up...i mean we have been friends since minor league....however..i do want to say one thing....yes some of graham is stuck up..(ill admit that) but while at the FBLA conference i heard so VERY redneck comments said about our new african-american regional president from the pocy group..which doesnt help the matter with the snobs....i hope to talk to you soon...call me some time (304) 922 4703 [/ QUOTE ]It's definately something we're all going to have to consider. I know you're not stuck up..all them times we went to the pool,or played golf, or played in that creek behind your house haha But ya know, that's a generalization. I know that most Graham kids aren't stuck up and will welcome us there, but you have to say there will be some that will be "stuck up" about the situation. Just as it is in Pocy. There might be a few ignorant people that make racist comments, but that doesn't mean that everyone in the school is that way. Stereotyping is wrong, but everyone does it. I don't know how this is going to turn out, or what I'm gonna do personally, but I don't think its a decision that can just be made in one day. While on the other hand our great school board made the decision on where the Pocahontas teachers will be teaching next year, or even if at all (some will not be employeed), in one day. I thought it was pretty low having someone come to the school today to tell the teachers that. It's like they're not even trying to make it look like they gave this any consideration at all. But I'll give ya a call sometime Andrew..I need to come up and talk to your dad sometime this week anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano5 14 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 bad mistake leaving your number on the forum lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VHSLhelper 571 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 why do these school systems insist on closing schools in the middle of 2-year contract periods? First it was Henry Co., now Tazewell Co. Man!!! It's bad enough that the Juniors are tossed out (and I hope some of that $1.7 M is used to buy them all new class rings), but you've got a bunch of nearby schools that have had contacts breached, including 4 or so that are now short 1 home football game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EH31 2,518 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 [ QUOTE ] why do these school systems insist on closing schools in the middle of 2-year contract periods? First it was Henry Co., now Tazewell Co. Man!!! It's bad enough that the Juniors are tossed out (and I hope some of that $1.7 M is used to buy them all new class rings), but you've got a bunch of nearby schools that have had contacts breached, including 4 or so that are now short 1 home football game. [/ QUOTE ]The county has to pay 1 thousand dollars for every contracted voided with WV schools, and we play alot of WV schools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHS189 10 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 sounds good man...just give us a call...dont forget about the hours we spent picking up rocks at BSC's baseball field lol...and i know not all pocy kids are like that...and i know you cant decide in a day...s0o0o what ever you do im sure it will work out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHS189 10 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 [ QUOTE ] bad mistake leaving your number on the forum lol [/ QUOTE ] oh well im getting a new # soon anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman 13 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 would you just be cool with 5 people making a decision on where they'll have to go the next? It is the will of a majority of tax payers in this county to close that school, and that's what happened Thursday night. Not five people, the voting/taxpaying base. Remember we're only 20-21 months away from another census, and more heated discussion, newspaper editorials, school board meetings and television news stories of emigration and school consolidation. There's going to be some bitter pills to swallow in the near future by the people of Tazewell county. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EH31 2,518 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 [ QUOTE ] would you just be cool with 5 people making a decision on where they'll have to go the next? It is the will of a majority of tax payers in this county to close that school, and that's what happened Thursday night. Not five people, the voting/taxpaying base. [/ QUOTE ]Where were those taxpayers at the public hearing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPF 409 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] would you just be cool with 5 people making a decision on where they'll have to go the next? It is the will of a majority of tax payers in this county to close that school, and that's what happened Thursday night. Not five people, the voting/taxpaying base. [/ QUOTE ]Where were those taxpayers at the public hearing? [/ QUOTE ] You just answered your own question.....none of them showed up because they don't care about keeping Pocy open. The only people that cared was the 800 people that showed up from Pocahontas. Think about that for a moment, there are close to what 44,600 people in Tazewell County according to a 2006 estimate and only 800 showed up to defend Pocahontas. I would say 44,600 vs 800 is a majority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Where were those taxpayers at the public hearing? [/ QUOTE ] They spoke at the polls when they elected this group of school board members... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHS189 10 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 yea and the majority of that 44,000 are the snobs and stuck up people pocy is talking about...anyway you look at it the western part of the county look down on the eastern part...also i was wondering why arent they closing tazewell...pocy was accredited however big ol' tazewell from what i hear is not after last years SOLS... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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