Judge Howard Manning wants the state to take over the low-performing Halifax County Schools.

Last year, the district had the 26th highest per-pupil expenditure ($9,909.61) of state’s 115 school systems. The 4,500+ student district, which does not include Roanoke Rapids, has an annual budget of more than $40 million and employs over 700 teachers, administrators, and support staff. Only 11 percent of their total education budget comes from local sources.

Unfortunately, the school system has had accounting issues. Last year, the Halifax County Schools “overspent” state and federal funds to the tune of $850,000.