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New construction not renovation, emphasis of Mayor’s school building plans
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In a joint meeting with the members of the Richmond School Board earlier tonight, Mayor Dwight C. Jones outlined what he termed an “aggressive” agenda to build new schools. The plan, dubbed, “Building a better Richmond” is the successor to the stalled City of the Future program of the Wilder administration. The financing of $150 million is still in place, and architectural design contracts have been awarded to four firms. The plans are for two Elementary schools, one Middle school and the first new High school to be built in the city in four decades.
Mayor Jones made a strong case that the first school should be a new Huguenot High, due to the age of the present facility and the population growth in the area. A September 30, 2006 report to the Department of Education showed Richmond’s high school enrollment falling over a ten year period by 19%. Middle school enrollment was also estimated to decline by 21% in the same period. As a result, two years after the completion of Phase I in 2014, there may still be excess capacity in the school system in both middle and high schools..
The 2002 Master Plan and the 2007 update identified a half dozen schools for major renovations, but in response to a question as to whether that was a part of the program, the Mayor stated “That’s not going to happen” . The day before, School Board Vice Chair Kim Gray and former Wilder advisor Paul Goldman held a joint press conference in support of Goldman’s scheme to expand the use of federal historic tax credits for renovation of public schools. The plan would have private developers renew schools, taking advantage of the financial benefits that accrue, and then lease them back to the school district. The private developers, who have not been identified, have pledged an undetermined amount for scholarships for Richmond students, which gained Gray’s support..
A Congressional sponsor from the Virginia delegation for the amendment has not yet been identified, nor was draft language of an amendment available. Goldman and former Senator and Governor George Allen wrote an op-ed article in the New York Times on Oct. 13th giving highlights of the proposal termed “Smart Credit”. The mayor’s focus on new school construction rather than rehabilitation might cloud the issue, as new buildings and the need for space in face of pupil declines are evaluated. It may mean that schools the most in need of major rehabilitation will have to wait a while longer
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