What's Happening Now

  • Job Opening: GIS Technician

    We are Hiring a GIS Technician!

    Southside Planning District Commission is seeking applications from qualified candidates to serve as our next GIS Technician. This position uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools, data, and knowledge to assist in providing GIS technical services to the member localities of the Southside Planning District. This includes providing direct GIS assistance to 911 centers in the area of 911 addressing, Computer Aided Dispatch updates, Next-Gen 911 administration, emergency zone maintenance, and other GIS functions as needed. The GIS Technician will also assist with tax parcel editing, online GIS site administration, and provide GIS and mapping assistance to SPDC staff. The GIS Technician works under the supervision of the Director of Local Services, and/or the Executive Director.

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  • Request for Proposals - Southside Planning District Commission’s Opioid Abatement Authority Project

    In an effort to address the opioid epidemic affecting Southside, Virginia, the Southside Planning District Commission (SPDC), on behalf of the counties of Brunswick, Halifax, and Mecklenburg is requesting proposals from one or more qualified local organizations to implement opioid abatement strategies in the region.

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Awards

Standard & Poor's identified Mecklenburg County Public School District as an "Outperforming School District." Only 16 of the 132 school districts analyzed in Virginia received this rating. To be designated as such, the school districts must achieve higher levels of student proficiency than peers, perform at a level that significantly exceeds statistical expectation, and outperform consistently.

Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Schools: These schools represent exemplary achievements and contributions to ensure successful educational experiences for all children. Mecklenburg County is home to two such schools, Buckhorn Elementary and Chase City Elementary.

Distinguished Title 1 Schools - National & Statewide Award:
2010: Buckhorn Elementary School was named a "Title 1 Distinguished School" by the Virginia Board of Education

2010: Mecklenburg County Public Schools designated a "Distinguished Title I School Division" by exceeding all NCLB achievement objectives in reading and mathematics for two consecutive years

2009: Chase City Elementary School was named a "National Title 1 Distinguished School"

2008: Five Mecklenburg County Elementary Schools were named "Title 1 Distinguished Schools" by the Virginia Board of Education

Other Awards
2009: Governor's Award of Excellence given to Bluestone Middle, Boydton Elementary, Buckhorn Elementary, Clarksville Elementary and South Hill Elementary

2008: Seven Mecklenburg County Schools were recipients of the Virginia Board of Education's "VIP Competence to Education Award". The award is based on the percentage of students achieving an advanced level on SOL tests.

2008: Park View High School was named one of the "Best High Schools in America" by U.S. News and World Report.

SOL Scores

These SOL scores were obtained from the Virginia Department of Education's School Division Report Cards dated December 13, 2010: (coming soon)

Dropout Data

(coming soon)

Southside Virginia Community College
SVCC has three main campuses in or near the region. One campus is in Alberta (Brunswick County). SVCC has two satellite facilities in Mecklenburg County and one in Halifax County. SVCC facilities offer vocational and technical training, customized industrial training, and Associate degrees in a wide variety of programs.

Longwood University
Longwood University, located in nearby Farmville, Virginia, offers over 100 undergraduate, graduate, and minor programs and has been recognized by USA Today and U.S. News and World Report for its level of education. It is listed in Forbes' America's Best Colleges List of 2010. Many classes can also be taken at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston, Virginia.

Workforce Training

Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center
This center specializes in training designed to address the needs of existing industry sectors such as textiles, woodworking, and plastics. Facilities include a manufacturing training center that provides instruction in MIG welding, tool & die, metal fabrication, machining, millwright training, pipe fitter training, electrical, etc. The High Performance Technology program offers instruction and training in areas including automation and material handling, design, electricity, electronics, quality, manufacturing systems, mechanical processes, and HVAC. The center offers Distance Education, University Parallel curriculum, and teacher re-certification classes. Career planning, workshops, and seminars for business, industry, and professionals are available. The center provides affordable degree and non-degree programs and workforce training opportunities.

Estes Community Center
This center in Chase City offers specialized training in the medical field, beginning and advanced computer classes, and classes for children during summer (including Sign Language & Reading, Computers, Music, Spanish, Exercise Classes, and Nature & Safety). The center provides after-school program provides assistance with study and homework for children in grades 2 through 5.

Southern Virginia Higher Education Center
The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) is advancing Southern Virginia economically, culturally, and socially by providing citizens with affordable, accessible educational opportunities through partnerships and regional cooperation. The SVHEC is partnered with nine educational institutions to offer Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees in Halifax County. Nursing, business, digital art & design, product design & development, education, and engineering are just a few of the more than 70 certificate and degree programs available at the SVHEC. The SVHEC serves more than 4,000 students from 16 counties and 4 cities, including high school dual enrollment students in its signature Business of Art & Design program.