Lisa Rowan

It’s the latest in a string of changes that the small, private college in Franklin County has made to attract students and fight off dwindling enrollment that has plagued it in recent years.

Among the solutions: A handful of colleges offer on-campus child care, and a statewide pilot program is providing child care stipends for single parents. But the need remains great.

The state university continues to forecast declining enrollment, though its leaders showed continued optimism at a board of visitors meeting Friday.

The addition of the Piper Seminole brings the Danville university’s fleet to 13 as its aeronautics major continues to add students.

Board members expressed discomfort at making a quick decision to close the school rather than plan for repairs necessary to keep it functioning.

Community Builders would provide summer and after-school activities for rising eighth graders in Roanoke and Petersburg public schools. The governor must still sign off on the legislation that would fund the initiative.

State money would help school divisions comply with a menstrual product law at a time when many localities are looking for ways to trim expenses, but it didn’t make it into the budget this year.

The county will plug a significant state funding gap by closing Burnt Chimney and Henry elementary schools. Meanwhile, similar discussions have begun in neighboring Bedford County.