New Kent School Board identifies CIP projects to meet future needs

New Kent County’s School Board received its first look at a proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the FY2026-27 year.

The proposed plan was broken down into three tiers based on priority. In the first tier, which New Kent County staff deem as the highest priority, the request for three school buses at a total of $529,131.60, one miniature bus ($128,250.10), one school van and one school car at a total of $95,468.50 highlighted transportation needs. Fan coil units at George Watkins Elementary ($415,506), replacement of the roof at New Kent High School ($240,000), and New Kent Middle School switchgear replacement and repairs are also needed. Other additional projects that are expected to be paid with money budgeted in the general fund include district-wide paving and striping at $100,000, a new trailer ramp at New Kent Elementary ($119,408), additional roof maintenance ($35,000), HVAC maintenance ($150,000), and painting ($50,000).

Tier two consists of ten classrooms added onto New Kent Middle School and George Watkins Elementary School at a total cost of $3.5 million. Items that are desired to be considered with general fund dollars include IT infrastructure ($160,000) and replacement furniture ($100,000). The construction of a new elementary school to replace the current New Kent Elementary School also fell under this tier at $58 million, with Superintendent of Schools Brian Nichols saying that he and the school board are expected to have joint meetings with county leaders on the issue in the near future.

Tier three addressed athletic needs which include upgrades to practice fields at New Kent High School ($311,000), new flooring in the gym at New Kent Middle School ($55,000), backboard automation at the middle school ($31,627), and new backboards in the middle school gym ($10,169). Phase two of renovations at New Kent High School’s athletic complex also is being considered which includes a new entry way for admissions, locker rooms, and storage facility.

In total, requested projects for general operations total $2,326,914 (excluding the construction of a new elementary school and additional classrooms at George Watkins Elementary and New Kent Middle School). Transportation needs total $752,850.20, athletic needs are pegged at a cost of $407,796, and instruction needs rings in with $260,000.

New Kent’s School Board expects to present this number as well as have dialogue with New Kent County’s Board of Supervisors at the Nov. 7 regular meeting.