The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

March 17, 2008

Fayette board approves money for summer food program

By Matthew Hill

FAYETTEVILLE — The Fayette County Board of Education voted 4-1 Monday evening to give $1,500 to a six-week summer food program in Mount Hope known as Energy Express.

Dave Arritt, the lone dissenting vote, said he would provide a contribution to the program from his own pocket. Arritt cited concerns over taxpayer dollars being doled out too readily.

Sally Hurst, a rural outreach coordinator for Marshall University’s Center for Rural Health, had approached board members March 3 with an unspecified request for financial assistance. At the March 3 meeting, she also updated board members on the Mount Hope EATS (Everyone At the Table is Served) project to combat childhood obesity.

According to board president Peggy Farmer, the board had previously allocated $2,500 for the Energy Express program in Beards Fork.

In the five-year excess levy renewal that Fayette County citizens will decide upon May 13, $24,237 is set aside annually for the West Virginia University Extension Service, 4-H and Energy Express combined.

According to some preliminary study results that Hurst proffered March 3, students who eat breakfast and lunch regularly experience increased reading scores and higher attendance rates. In addition, disciplinary problems plunged 50 percent.

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In other business, board members:

- Voted unanimously to allow a professional women’s football team to use Oak Hill High School’s facilities for football games on four upcoming dates — April 19, May 17, May 24 and June 7.

A spokeswoman and player for the team, which is known as the West Virginia Wonders, explained that the team is comprised of women from all over the state. It competes against similar teams from other states, she added. Admission rates of $10 for adults and $4 for students will be charged at the Oak Hill games.

- Agreed without dissent to approve a right-of-way and an easement so as to allow the Page-Kincaid Public Service District to install a sewer line and manholes on board-owned property in the Valley District.

— E-mail: mhill@register-herald.com

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