Huguenot Construction Added to Phase 1

John M. at CHPN has the results of a 3 hour meeting held by the school board yesterday, be sure and go to the link to read more on the details.

At a 3-hour meeting today, the School Board tentatively decided to pursue redevelopment for Huguenot High School, Broad Rock Elementary School, Oak Grove Elementary School, and George Mason Elementary School as Phase 1 of overhauling the city’s aging stock of school buildings. M.L.King Middle School, on the original list for redevelopment, was shelved in favor of the 3rd elementary school. Opportunity for public comment and an official vote will take place at the next School Board meeting on November 16.

Isaac Graves of the Examiner points out that there was a dissenting vote and hints at the political strength that Mayor Dwight C. Jonesis beginning to flex.

The only dissenting voice of the plan for a new Huguenot was Vice Chair Kim Gray, who inquired “Has any data been presented that say why we are building Huguenot High?” and “I have yet to see the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) budget”. This lack of specific information on many of the details of the mayor’s plan; it’s genesis, costs, timetable, and other elements caused Ms. Gray to not participate in the informal ‘poll’ of board members. Ms. Gray’s opposition is based on Virginia Code Section 221-79, which outlines the powers and duties of school boards. Item 3 under that section, which is the law of the Commonwealth, mandates that school boards: “Care for, manage and control the property of the school division and provide for the erecting, furnishing,equipping, and non instructional operating of necessary school buildings…” [emphasis added] Without action by the General Assembly to either change or modify the law, Ms. Gray contends the authority, decision and most critically the money to build new schools rests solely with the elected Richmond School Board.