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| Red Oak Elementary |
Board members recently completed a series of school tours in which they looked at the conditions of the school buildings, safety and security measures, as well as mechanical systems over a two-day period. During a Capital Improvement Plan meeting held April 29, the Board members considered the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson to examine the consolidation of some school facilities, renovations to facilities, and the construction of new school buildings.
“At the end of the day,” said Jackson, “It’s about ensuring that our students have the best possible learning environments.” Dr. Eric Cunningham, Associate Superintendent of Facilities and Operations, walked the board through challenges faced at each school in the district. Four schools were identified as having the greatest needs and highest cost indexes: Red Oak Elementary, Swift Creek Elementary, O.R. Pope Elementary and D.S. Johnson Elementary.
In the discussion of these schools, Jackson and Cunningham presented the board with a few options for their consideration:
For Red Oak Elementary and Swift Creek Elementary, the Board can consider option one of renovating the two schools, and continuing to operate as two separate campuses. This would cost the school district nearly $18.4 million. For option two, the board would construct a new facility, consolidating the two schools into one 600-student capacity school, which was estimated to cost the district around $19.3 million. Building the new facility would save the school district anywhere between $100,000 to $200,000 a year in operating costs.
For D.S. Johnson Elementary, O.R. Pope Elementary and the Fairview Early Childhood Center, the Board was also presented with two options; the first, to renovate all three sites, and continue to operate as three separate campuses, or to again demolish the buildings and construct a new 750- student capacity school to accommodate the student populations from all three sites. The renovations of the first option would cost the school district approximately $14.2 million, while the construction of a brand new school is estimated to cost around $19.4 million.
The board was also presented with an efficiency option to consider the consolidation of Parker Middle School with the new Rocky Mount Middle School that will open in fall of 2013. With option one for the two middles schools, the board could opt to renovate Parker Middle, and continue to run the two schools separately, at an estimated cost of $24.9 million, or consolidate the two schools to the campus of Rocky Mount Middle at an estimated price tag of $20.4 million.
As the Board members carefully studied the options, many expressed their support in consolidating, and replacing the older buildings with new ones that can better support 21st century learning. “If we build a new facility, we need to make sure that we plan it so that we don’t ever have mobile units in the back of it,” said Board member Doneva Chavis-Battle. Other board members agreed and discussed the critical next step of gaining community support for the building of new schools. “I don’t think it will be a hard sell for our communities,” said Ann Edge. “Parents want their children to have better than what they had as they were coming along.”
Dr. Jackson expressed the importance of engaging with the community, and offering parents and others with the opportunity to look at the conditions of the buildings. “We have to build out the necessary support with parents and give them a voice in this process,” he said. Board chair Evelyn Bulluck also shared her desire to have a snapshot look at the entire scope of the finances needed to consolidate and make the safety and security upgrades to each of the schools. “We need to move forward, having the financial package together in a way that we can share as we start the discussion to build support.” Bulluck said. “If we have a chart comparing safety and security issues on one side, and consolidation, renovation on the other, we can easily see and share our total challenges and total opportunities.“ Board members received information on April 29, with the intent to approve a prioritized list at their regularly scheduled board meeting on May 9, 2013. Following the May 9 meeting, the Board will embark on a comprehensive community engagement process.
