NEWS BRIEFS
Gifted student enrollments are growing slowly

Kyriakides

Much of the growth in enrollment for the county's Gifted Educational Program is occurring in grades 3-5 (49 percent) while the program is growing more modestly systemwide at 4.7 percent. Overall, there are 6,210 children enrolled in the gifted program, according to Ed Walent, director of instructional support.

Earlier this month, the staff briefed the school board during a work session about "more rigorous educational options," including gifted, advance placement and honors classes. Some gifted high school students attend the area's two regional governor's schools, but the county is limited to a set number of student slots each year. As a result, the school system is looking for alternative ways to increase and enhance gifted programming.

While Caucasian children represent 63 percent of enrollment system-wide, they account for 85 percent of Chesterfield's gifted program. Asians make up 3 percent of enrollment but 5 percent of the gifted program. African-Americans comprise 27 percent of enrollment but only 9 percent of the gifted program, though that has grown from 4 percent in recent years. Hispanics account for 6 percent of enrollment and 1 percent of the gifted program.

The participation of minorities is growing, said Walent, "but we have to do it at a faster rate."

"Some schools are underrepresented in identifying candidates for the gift program," explained Dave Jensen, past chairman of the Gifted Advisory Committee.

Teacher arrested for embezzlement

A Chesterfield County substitute teacher was arrested and charged with embezzlement on Dec. 12. Daniella H. Kyriakides, 54, of the 2400 block of Chimney House Terrace, is accused of embezzling $4,900 from Clover Hill High School's Keynote Band Booster Club. She previously served as the club's treasurer and president.

Kyriakides has been released pending a Jan. 4 hearing in Chesterfield County General District Court.

Contractors lose licenses

The Virginia Board for Contractors revoked the licenses of two county businesses earlier this month.

The license for Home Improvement Company LLC in Chester was taken away because it "acted as an ostensible licensee for persons who controlled or directed business operations." Home Improvement Company LLC was also ordered to pay $2,500 in monetary penalties.

Fines are paid to the state's Literary Fund, which is used for public education purposes such as school construction, renovation and teacher retirement funding.

Alan M. Garrison & Associates of Midlothian had its license revoked because the company "shares substantial identity of interest with a contractor whose license is revoked." No fines were levied in this case.

Suspect linked to four robberies

A homeless man has been arrested for one robbery and linked to three others in the county. According to police, Thomas W. Wingfield, 32, of no fixed address, was arrested after allegedly robbing the BP service station at 2116 Willis Rd. around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. He is also a suspect in the Nov. 27 and Nov. 30 robberies of the UPS stores at 12750 Jefferson Davis Hwy. and 9947 Hull Street Rd. respectively and the Dec. 4 robbery of Shoney's at 12531 Jefferson Davis Hwy.

Police stopped Wingfield in a vehicle near the BP service station shortly after the robbery, and he was taken into custody without incident.

He is charged with robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Buford Road crash injures two

The Chesterfield County Police Department is investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred in the 1800 block of Buford Road at about 8:35 a.m. on Dec. 7. Police said a 1994 Ford Ranger was traveling south on Buford Road when the driver crossed into the northbound lane and struck a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis.

Both drivers were transported to CJW Medical Center by ambulance. The driver of the Ranger received lifethreatening injuries. The driver of the Grand Marquis had non-life-threatening injuries.