Historic School’ cafeteria use on hold pending agreement

A decision on what groups get to use the cafeteria at New Kent’s “Historic School” is on hold at least until Nov. 10. That’s the date of the next county Board of Supervisors meeting and also when county officials are aiming to have all interested parties on board in terms of a shared use agreement.

All agree the cafeteria is ideal for the county’s Brown Bag food program, but whether the site is ready before Thanksgiving, as requested earlier by Brown Bag representatives, remains up in the air.

Supervisors discussed the matter during their Oct. 27 work session, deciding to hold off on spending $10,000 to repair the cafeteria’s walk-in freezer and make other upgrades until a shared use agreement is signed by all parties. Part of the repair bill is replacing the freezer’s condenser to the tune of $6,000.

County administrator Cabell Lawton met the night before with Brown Bag representatives and church groups interested in using the facility. Lawton reviewed proposed operating guidelines for what is dubbed the “New Kent Community Pantry.”

Under the guidelines, Quin Rivers Agency for Community Action is responsible for hiring a manager under a one-year grant the agency has received. That manager, according to Lawton’s report, is already on board and overseeing community pantry development in New Kent, Charles City, and Hanover counties.

Also, a five-member steering committee, perhaps made up of two representatives each from Brown Bag and local churches plus one Quin Rivers staffer, would meet several times a year to discuss ongoing operations and resolve issues that could arise. The committee is expected to take over operations after the one-year grant runs out in September 2011.

Monday night, Lawton met with the county’s School Board to advise members of progress to date and seek input on cafeteria use as a community food pantry. Lawton told the board recent data reveals 1,800 New Kent residents eligible for food stamps, “So the need is out there,” he added.

He also said no food preparation is to take place on site, adding, “It will basically be putting food in a box.”

But board members questioned the duration of a shared use agreement and possible impact should schools decide later that the site is needed for programs or to address potential student overcrowding.

“I don’t want it to appear we’re booting out the food pantry program,” board member Terri Lindsay told Lawton, adding any agreement should be revisited at least every two years.

“We have other school programs that we need space for, and I’m concerned with traffic issues and other people coming in there,” she said.

“There should be more discussion between the two boards so that we’re not surprised and you’re not surprised,” she told Lawton.

School superintendent Rick Richardson said food pantry use is not expected to present a barrier to any long-term plans for the cafeteria.

“Basically this is interim use for a facility not being used,” he added.

As to a shared use agreement, Lawton said duration “depends on how successful we are. A few years should be a good target, and then we can evaluate and determine if we need to move out to another facility.”

Board members appeared to nod approval when Lawton asked if they were comfortable with proceeding. He also promised to keep open lines of communication.

Supervisors, meanwhile, are meeting Nov. 12 to interview four construction companies that have submitted bid proposals for renovating the Historic School.

“[The board] want to see how they envision doing this project,” Lawton said Monday night. “Then the board will decide which path to follow or whether to go a different route.”