Bob Sloan

Editor

CHESTERFIELD - The Chesterfield County School District will received only a partial payment from the S.C. Lottery Commission for the month of February and will not receive a payment from the Lottery Commission for the month of March, Director of Finance Judy Watson reported at Monday's School Board meeting.

Watson said that the district normally receives a $80,000 monthly allotment from the commission. Chesterfield received a payment of $14,000 for the month of February and has been informed that it will not receive a payment at all for the month of March.

Chesterfield is not alone, according to Watson. The S.C. Lottery Commission was forced to cut back on its payments due to poor sales. All counties received a payment or no payment at all during February. The counties that received no payment in February will get partial payments in March. The counties that received partial payments in February will receive no payment in March.

According to Watson, the Lottery Commission hopes to make up the shortfall later in the year with improved sales.

Superintendent John Williams reported that Scott Hunter will resign from his Advisory Board post, leaving two seat vacant. Anita Bell of Jefferson also stepped down for her spot on the board.

Williams also noted that the filing period for school board elections is March 10-30. Elections are scheduled for June 10, with seats in districts 4,5,6,7 and 8 open.

The board also heard from a group of concerned citizens regarding the proposed asphalt plant in Jefferson. The Rev. Doug Taylor of Living Faith Church in Jefferson, spokesperson for the group, pointed out that the plant is to be built within five miles of New Heights Middle, Jefferson Elementary and Central High School. Taylor also pointed out health issues that are normally associated with asphalt plants.

Taylor urged the board to oppose the building of the plant and to att4end public hearing scheduled for March 20 at New Heights Middle School.

The board listened to a presentation from a group of educators on the success of a reading intervention program at Petersburg Primary School. It was pointed out that in a very short period of time, students have shown rapid improvement thanks to the three-tiered program.

In other business:

N The sale of 11 mobile classroom units at Edwards Elementary School generated $7,510.

N It was reported that there are 99 students being home schooled in the county.

N The board recognized the Chesterfield High School wrestling team for winning its fourth state championship in five years.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for April 7 at McBee Elementary School.