Orange County School Board holds retreat at former "lunatic asylum"
Historic Staunton facility provides unusual setting for discussion of CTE options
Members of the Orange County School Board had their pick of locations for their retreat. They could’ve met at a local B&B or James Madison’s Montpelier—or reserved meeting space in a neighboring county for a change of scenery. But no, for reasons known only to board chair Melissa Anderson (District 1), who chose the venue, the group drove for more than an hour to the former site of Staunton’s Western State Hospital on Friday the 13th.
Known for many years as the “Western Lunatic Asylum,” the old brick building on a hill is now a conference center, of sorts. It offered board members an unusual backdrop for a gathering intended to be relaxed, warmhearted and—ahem—sane.
The temperature inside the former asylum’s infirmary wing—a sprawling, barely furnished space—was 56 degrees when board members arrived, a confidential source told Byrd Street. At one point, there was a possible ghost sighting, though perhaps it was just Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Hornick or school board clerk Laura Byram, who also attending the retreat.
Sanity check: Where should the high school’s CTE center go?
Despite the bleak setting, the confidential source said the retreat went well. Board members discussed the history of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Orange County and had a productive conversation about various locations for the high school’s proposed CTE building, the source said.
Their discussion of possible CTE building locations is significant, given that they will vote on a location on Friday, Dec. 20. The board’s decision to postpone that vote until after the retreat greatly annoyed many who attended the school board meeting on Monday, Dec. 9.
During public comment at that meeting, when the vote had been expected, a parade of speakers urged the board to choose a site on the grounds of Orange County High School (which Hornick has recommended) rather than attempting to renovate and repurpose the Taylor Education Administration Complex (TEAC), a mile and a half away from the high school.
The latter plan, which Anderson and Chelsea Quintern (District 4) have appeared to favor, would drastically change the nature of TEAC. A serene place that houses central office staff, the Boys & Girls Club, Head Start and Alternative Education would balloon into a high-traffic home for high school classrooms and labs suitable for the study of welding, automotive repair, robotics, masonry and carpentry, agriculture, cybersecurity and nursing, among other subjects. It’s hard to imagine any construction scenario at TEAC that would leave enough room for the offices and programs currently there.
Members of the Boys & Girls Club advisory board have been especially vocal about their objections to plans involving TEAC. During public comment at a November board meeting and again on Dec. 9, they told the board that they don’t want their organization, which serves children year-round and has the backing of many local citizens, to lose its home.
Board chair Anderson has shared a TEAC renovation plan that would not have as much impact on the club as a previous iteration, but her plan would still take away part of the gymnasium space that the club and Head Start use. (Anderson had help from local businessman and renowned maneuverer Kent Higginbotham in preparing her plan.) Supporters of the Boys & Girls Club remain worried about the impact any major renovation of TEAC could have on the club.
Mary Lou Seilheimer: “The children are safe, having fun and thriving”
Among the club advisory board members addressing the school board on Dec. 9 was Mary Lou Seilheimer, who said, “Our club has been serving Orange County children and youth since 2001. Hundreds of children have benefited from club programs promoting academic success, good character, health and wellbeing, and leadership. Our latest program, Life and Workforce Readiness, includes career exploration, work-based learning, public speaking and financial literacy. The children are safe, having fun and thriving, and their parents are able to go to work knowing that their children are enrolled in a meaningful, fun and affordable afterschool program.”
Seilheimer continued, “I came tonight because I'm concerned that the Orange Boys & Girls Club could lose its home. I know that one of the options for the Career and Technical Education facility is to take over the old Prospect Heights Middle School that currently houses the Orange County school administration, Head Start and Orange Boys & Girls Club. Each of these entities has invested time, energy and money into adapting its space to its needs.
“Generous donors in our community have contributed funds to the Orange Boys and Girls Club to convert locker rooms into computer labs and art rooms, to install an all-new kitchen with appliances, shelving and cupboards, and to convert other rooms into spaces for games and studying. If we lose our space, the cost of replacing it would be prohibitive, and there’s a good chance the club would have to close. This is an unthinkable loss for our community,” she said.
At the end of the meeting, board member Darlene Dawson (District 2) took responsibility for the postponement of the vote until after the board retreat. She explained to the audience that she wanted more time to consider the options, including the TEAC renovation plan that Anderson put forward.
The board’s vote on the CTE building location is slated for 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at TEAC.
Rotary Club Christmas parade brings all the jingles
At the Orange Rotary Club’s Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, people lined Madison Road and Main Street in Orange to take in all the floats and performers, including dancers and cheerleaders. It was a good opportunity to trade waves with those in the parade, including a very sporty Santa Claus tootling along in the back of a pickup truck.
Sheriff Jason Smith (pictured below) estimated the crowd size as “at least 1,500 to 2,000.” He wrote to Byrd Street, “Even though it was a bit cold outside, it didn’t seem to stop members of the community from coming out to support such a fun event. We had a great time seeing everyone, and the Rotary Club always does such a nice job putting on the event. We were able to show off our 8-month-old bloodhound, Kyro. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves, and we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.”
Parade prize winners included Orange Church of the Nazarene (best in show), Orange Volunteer Fire Company (first place, first responders), Orange County Public Schools Taylor Education Administration Complex (first place, wheeled), Orange Elementary School (first place, wheeled/mounted) and Prospect Heights Middle School (first place, performance). A spectacular sunset topped off the annual crowd-pleaser. Way to go, Rotary Club members! Thanks for all the festive fun.
Letter to the Editor from Supervisor Keith Marshall
Thank you for your email. I appreciate your interest in seeking clarity. While I have refrained from speaking publicly about this issue under the advice of counsel, the continued misrepresentation of facts compels me to provide a statement.
First, let me address the core of the situation. It is neither appropriate nor reasonable to place animals or establish a kennel on someone else’s property without explicit permission. Such situations naturally lead to necessary steps for resolution, particularly when followed by defamatory remarks or inappropriate conduct in the presence of others.
Regarding the events that transpired, I must emphasize the physical toll they took on me. I suffered a blunt force blow to the side of my head, which rendered me unconscious. A subsequent CT scan at the Culpeper Emergency Room confirmed that I had sustained a concussion. While a County internal review found the timeline for receiving medical assistance could have been expedited at the scene, there was no indication that my condition resulted from any unlawful circumstances.
Due to the concussion and resulting memory loss, I have no recall of any physical altercation that evening. For this reason, I have avoided commenting on details I cannot confirm firsthand.
Amid this challenging period, I am deeply grateful to those who have shown unwavering support to me and my family. Your encouragement has been invaluable. At the same time, I must express my disappointment toward those who have used this situation to exploit me politically or sensationalize events for personal or professional political gain. Such actions are disappointing and unworthy of those who claim to uphold journalistic integrity. I hope we can all move forward without unnecessary bias and prejudice and focus on integrity and truth.
Moving ahead, my focus remains steadfast on fulfilling my duties as a representative of the people of Orange County. This experience, though challenging, has strengthened my resolve to serve our community with integrity and dedication. I hold no ill will toward anyone, including my detractors, and I remain committed to working for the betterment of our community.
This will be my final statement on the matter. Thank you for your understanding.
Keith Marshall, Orange County Supervisor (District 3), Unionville
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Editor’s note: For the previous issue’s story about Keith Marshall, click here.
Dear Dr. Jennings
Dear Dr. Jennings, Is it OK to skip holiday parties if I’m not in the mood? How do I explain my absence to my friends? —Worried Elf
Dear Worried Elf, Yes. It is natural to skip a party if you are not in the mood. This is a good practice of self-care. We all need a break from others from time to time. Those who know you well will understand. If you can, avoid the guilt-ridden need to explain why you choose to skip a party. Practice saying things like, “Thanks for asking. I cannot make it this time,” or “I thought I could make it when I agreed earlier. But I won’t be able to come after all.” Concentrate on the relationship, not the event. And have as much compassion for yourself as you would for a person who couldn’t make it to a party that you hosted.
Keep in mind that 25% of the U.S. population identifies as introverts. That means they recharge their energy during alone time. They quite enjoy solitude. Extroverts get their energy from being with others—lots of others. Though there is a spectrum on this scale of interactions and energy, those who are truly introverted need their alone time. Few things bring that out more than the holiday season.
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Dr. Dena Jennings is an Orange County physician, folk artist and musician. She had her medical office on Short Street in Orange for many years. If you have a health-related question of general interest, send it to her at drdenajennings@gmail.com. Your name will not appear in the column. Please use a pen name when you sign your note to her.
Upcoming Christmas/holiday events
40th annual Singing Christmas Tree, Orange Baptist Church, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15
Orange Community Band Christmas Concert, free admission, Orange County High School, 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15
Winter Concert, Orange County High School Music Department (all are invited to donate non-perishable food items for Orange food pantry), 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17
“Messiah” Singalong (Part 1), St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Orange, conducted by the Rev. Alan Miller, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17
BRAVO Christmas Concert, The Music Room, Orange, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19
For inclusion in Byrd Street, send your event listings to hwholladay@gmail.com.
Obituaries
Doris Dean Brooks Seal, 80, Orange; Robert “Bob” H. Adkins, 72, Gordonsville; Robert Edward Hullihen, 77, Orange; Maggie Rebecca Lloyd, 95, Orange; Karen Sue Kovarik, 87, Lake of the Woods; Sylvester “Dollie” Douglas Sr., 87, Gordonsville; Juanita Faye Garnett, 71, Gordonsville; Lola Lee Norton, 99, Gordonsville.
I find your references to the Western State facility to be offensive. It doesn't add anything to the story.
Good point about introverts, Dr. Jennings!