Jacqueline Hough
The Daily Herald Staff Writer

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JACKSON — Northampton County Board of Education members listened to a plan which may provide each student with the opportunity for a college education during their meeting Monday night and voiced their support for the Roanoke Valley Promise concept.

“We’re very supportive of this,” said Northampton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy. “The chamber has always been a true partner with us.”

Allen Purser, president of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, described the program to the board. “This is very much in its infancy,” he said. “We have not put a board together or started raising money.”

The idea for the Roanoke Valley Promise came from a program in Kalamazoo, Mich., called the Kalamazoo Promise. In Michigan program, each Kalamazoo public school graduate is given the opportunity to attend post-secondary education with up to 100 percent tuition scholarship.

“We think our children should go as well,” he said.

One of the first steps would be setting foundation and raising about $2.5 million. This would allow about 100 students to go to community college.

Purser said the goal is to raise $38 million to help students in Halifax and Northampton counties to go to college.

“It will be a lot of hard work,” he said.

He admitted there were some who have said the goal is not possible and not every student goes to college.

Purser gave board members copies of the Kalamazoo Promise so they could get a better understanding of the program.

Board chairperson Grace Edwards thanked Purser for bringing good news to the board. “You can raise money with our help,” she said.

Board member Erica Smith-Ingram said she thought the Roanoke Valley Promise was “awesome.”

“For children in this district, many have few options beyond high school,” she said.

She added for student to be able to pursue an education after high school would build a stronger citizen and a stronger community.