New Kent boards meet to address population increase

In a recent study conducted by the University of Virginia, New Kent County was identified as the fifth fastest growing locality in the state. With the continued influx of new residents along with future suggestions forecasting more future growth, both county leaders and school leaders elected to take a proactive approach to assess future needs.

New Kent’s Board of Supervisors and New Kent’s School Board held a joint meeting on Sept. 28 to talk about the spike in population in the locality.

Superintendent of schools Dave Myers’ opening statements revealed the school has acquired 110 more students than projected in the FY2016-17 budget as of Sept. 20. A presentation followed, revealing New Kent’s population has increased by 11.1 percent according to the aforementioned study, while school classrooms swelled by 6.8 percent.

“If you look at it right now, New Kent Elementary is at 105 percent capacity and George Watkins is at 101 percent capacity,” said Myers. “While New Kent Middle School is at 95 percent capacity, we expect a great jump in that number within the next few years due to the large number of students in the fourth and fifth grades at the elementary schools.”

The school board opened additional dialogue to address ways to resolve the issue, citing both short-term and long-term solutions. School representatives advised county leaders that in the FY2017-18 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) they will propose three ways to address student population.

“Right now we are looking at alternative grade level distribution at each of the schools, adding modular trailers at New Kent Elementary and the middle school, renovating the trailers at George Watkins Elementary,” Myers said.

As mentioned in previous years, one long-term solution is construction of a new elementary school.

“Based on the market right now, a new elementary school would cost $17.25 million for the building alone and that excludes site work, sewer, and water,” the superintendent commented. “A good number to use when all the work is done is about $20 million.”

Myers also told leaders that New Kent Elementary School would cost $14 million to renovate. And while modular trailers range close to $120,000 apiece, the superintendent also said that only so many trailers could be placed on the property.

“It takes about three to four years to build a school,” Myers said, pointing to the entire process that includes bids, design plans, and construction. “This board wanted to take the step and open up communication with county leaders and let them be aware of our situation.”

School board members chimed in with comments of how overcrowded schools affect students.

“Lunch is one of the main things that is affected because of shared space,” said school board District 1 representative Adriane Marshall. “We have kids get there and some are eating lunch at 10:30 a.m.”

Other areas of impact mentioned include limited time in resource classes, student safety, and parking at the schools.

Supervisors agreed with school officials about the rising population in the locality and the impact it is having on everyone, not just the schools.

“We are having an intense growth,” said District 3 supervisor Patricia Paige. “Just like our schools, you have to think of all the other departments that are being affected.

“When we begin to work on the budget, we have to look at what we can save and what we can do,” she continued. “An example is how long can we go without the renovations at New Kent Elementary School?”

District 1 representative Thomas Evelyn agreed, emphasizing that the right balance of addressing needs and using funds wisely to address growth will be a long-term process.

“It would take $40 million to fix all the problems the schools have,” he said.

“In order to get $20 million we would have to raise taxes 16 to 17 cents,” chimed in District 4 Supervisor Ron Stiers. “This board is in full support of the schools and we will work on finding a solution that addresses the problem, but raising taxes is something that I’m definitely not in favor of.”

Evelyn offered a temporary solution to study concerning students transitioning from elementary to middle school.

“When the middle school was originally built, a pad was built out there for expansion,” the District 1 leader said. “It would not cost a lot to expand that building due to a lot of the foundation already over there. I believe we could get that done for about $2 million to help relieve some of the immediate issues.”

Future meetings between the two boards to continue talks about the population boom will be held to help resolve concerns. Supervisors also said they will look into the definitions of major and minor subdivisions in an effort to regulate growth.