Pros, cons weighed in New Kent tennis court talks
New Kent School Board members continued to ponder solutions to address the need for new tennis courts at an Apr. 20 work session. Needless to say, the decision is becoming tougher with members hoping to have a viable choice before the next fiscal year.
Superintendent of schools David Myers addressed members on two recommended options for the tennis court locations. Both options, however, have pros and cons that have impact on both current and future issues.
Option one calls for the relocating the tennis courts to a field in front of the current high school. Currently, that field is used as a practice field for middle school football, as well as the area for shot and discus for current track meets.
While the field has enough space to host the facility, Myers addressed other issues that need consideration if that option is chosen.
“The move would require additional site work and force us to look at stormwater retention,” the superintendent said. “It is also aesthetically unpleasing to see the tennis courts in that location as the first thing a person sees when coming to the high school.
“From talks with Tim [Pollock- Director of Maintenance] we do believe the cost for the courts would be greater at this site than where they are now,” Myers added.
The superintendent commented on the second option, which recommends that the courts be replaced and reestablished at the current location.
“The courts where they sit are visible and easy for community members to use,” Myers said. “But we know they have been there for 40 years and there are drainage problems that stem from water running from Route 249 [New Kent Highway] that runs underneath the courts.
“We are also looking at the issue that we expect to add two to three trailers at New Kent Elementary in FY2016-17 due to enrollment projections,” the superintendent continued. “That space could be potentially used to house those trailers.”
More discussion with Myers revealed additional benefits and downsides of each location. For each mention of relocation that could benefit in the long run, the downside of architecture work and site planning arose. When any mention to keep the courts at the current location due to accessibility, lack of parking spaces due to the possibility of the Historic School’s use came into play.
As discussion continued, board members became perplexed with the difficulty of making a firm decision. Discussion among members included Myers’ proposal of adding a wing to New Kent Elementary School in the future.
“We know we probably won’t get a new elementary school in the future, but the addition of that wing could give us space we need,” said Myers. “However, as you all know if that happens, students would need trailers to temporarily house them and that tennis court area is prime real estate.”
While no decision was made, board members weighed in with their comments, hoping to come to a solution.
“I think if we used the high school site, we could move the trailers onto the old court and do the expansion to the elementary school,” said District 3 representative Leigh Quick.
“I know Dr. Myers said the high school site would probably be more expensive but there is a cost to put down pads to hold the trailers that may offset it,” chimed in District 5 representative Gail Hardinge.
District 1 representative Brett Marshall focused on the parking issue, saying that a current garage used for storage and repair by both the schools and county’s park and recreation department could be relocated for additional spaces.
“I believe, Dr. Myers, that you and Mr. [Rodney] Hathaway [county administrator] should have a real serious discussion about that area,” Marshall said. “A move of that would open up additional parking and we know that’s a serious issue, especially with all the events that happen in that location.”
Myers indicated he expects to have solid figures in time for the school board’s next meeting.
In other action, board members:
–Announced intent to provide employees a 2 percent pay raise for FY2015-16. Myers said while the proposed budget calls for a 1.5 percent raise, he expects significant savings through contract negotiations and state numbers to help earn additional funds to support pay hikes.
–Approved the FY15-16 CTE local plan and budget. The plan calls for addition of a career pathways class with an emphasis on agriculture and landscaping.
–Announced that a leadership team at New Kent Middle School is looking at other options in addressing exams. Director of instruction and curriculum Byron Bishop said students are taking a variety of tests over a short period of time thus the leadership team is looking for alternatives to address the issue, with one example being a project at the end of the year. Currently, there is no policy requiring middle school students to take exams.