Herndon retires as Halifax County school superintendent


South Boston News

Halifax County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Merle Herndon has tendered her retirement, a decision accepted by the School Board on Monday night after members ended a brief impasse over the naming of a board chair and vice chair for the year.

Herndon, who came to Halifax County in 2012 to serve as school superintendent after previously working for Lynchburg City schools, said in a statement to school staff that “It’s hard to believe almost five years have passed since I joined the Halifax School Division. After 43 years in public education, it’s time for me to begin a new chapter.

“I will look back on my time in Halifax with many fond memories. As I have said many times, ‘Every day is an adventure…some days I enjoy more than others’,” she said.

Her retirement — effective June 30 — “will give me the opportunity to spend more time with my husband, three children and six grandchildren. It will also give me the chance to explore my last two continents (South America and Antarctica) and have more events at my Scott School Tea Room.”

The school board accepted Herndon’s retirement following a closed session that came at the end of the special call meeting, which was held mostly to try to resolve a 4-4 deadlock on the naming of a new chairman from two weeks earlier. Trustees voted unanimously to accept Herndon’s retirement letter, with Kim Farson making the board motion, seconded by Dick Stoneman. They served as board chair and vice chair, respectively, in 2016.

Earlier in the evening, trustees without controversy settled on their choices for leadership positions in 2017: Karen Hopkins was elected chair, and Orey Hill was named vice chair. They were members of offsetting, four-member blocs that had split over leadership in the board’s earlier efforts to reorganize for the year.

In an accompanying statement issued by the Central Office, Herndon reviewed her major accomplishments since taking over as Superintendent of Schools in July 2012, succeeding Paul Stapleton:

» “Improving employee compensation has been a concentrated effort over the past five years with a total of 12.075% increase: 5.075% in 2012-13, 2% in 2013-14, 3% in 2015-16, and 2% in 2016-17.

» “Recommendations from the efficiency study and curriculum audit were reviewed and implemented. Millions of dollars have been saved over this five-year period.

» “Although we have faced instructional challenges over the past five years, we have moved from three Focus Schools to one Focus School and do not have any schools denied accreditation.

» “The Career Technical Education (CTE) Programs were enhanced by increasing the number of classes and certificates in varied areas. The number of certificates has more than tripled over the past five years.

» “The school calendar was upgraded by counting clock hours, not days. This practice allowed us to stop adding days at the end of the year after the SOL tests have been completed.

» “MANY technology programs were upgraded to assist with varied aspects of our school division.

» “New and more thorough evaluation documents for teachers, classified staff, principals, assistant principals, central office, business office staff and superintendent were developed and implemented. (NOTE: The Superintendent personally evaluates all principals.)

» “STEM renovations were completed that allowed Alternative Education, GED and STEM to be under one roof.

» “Security in schools was enhanced with card readers and additional cameras.

» “A staff appreciation event was developed to recognize years of service (i.e., twenty or more in Halifax), retirements, and Teacher of the Year. This event focuses on showing appreciation to staff for their dedication.

» “During the 2014-15 school year, a Professionally Managed Services Company (Sodexo) was approved to incorporate the use of a dietitian, expanded menus, enhanced employee training, and bulk purchasing with the anticipation of increased student participation within school nutrition program. After one year with Sodexo, we saw the first positive balance in our food services account in a number of years.

» “Secondary and Elementary Leadership Teams, monthly Principals’ Meetings, and bi-weekly Staff Meetings, Parent/Community Advisory Meetings, and local Ministers Meetings were established to ensure proper communication among and within varied groups.

» “In the past five years, nine diesel and four propane school buses with a fueling station were purchased.”

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