NK school staff relocate as supervisors approve lease

“This triangle now has four sides to it.”

That statement made by New Kent Board of Supervisors chairman Ray Davis summed up viewpoints from four parties involved in the decision to allow school officials to use New Kent’s Historical Courthouse as its headquarters for the next two years after supervisors approved the lease to schools.

Members of New Kent’s school board, Historical Commission, Historical Society, and Registrar’s Office weighed in with opinions, comments, and viewpoints during the supervisors’ monthly meeting on Aug. 12.

During citizens’ comments, William Hodges, an advocate and member of the historical society, didn’t hold back about the process he believed was taken during supervisors’ decision to move the school board into the courthouse. After maximizing his seven minutes with several pages of accusations and information, he spoke about the action.

“It’s like someone popped a big balloon,” he said. “We were on the verge for asking for the full use of the courthouse.”

“The first time we heard about the move was when we were told to get out,” he added.

Meanwhile, historic commission representative Farron Cowles announced the group’s decision to repeal an earlier request to move into the adjacent white house building.

“I ask for assurance from the board [of supervisors] that we can keep meeting in the courthouse,” said Cowles in a written statement. “I also ask that the school board not use the building for storage and that we may move back into the Historic Courthouse after a permanent solution is found.”

Davis asked superintendent of schools Rick Richardson about the certainty the Historic Courthouse would not be disturbed and be used for its original purpose.

“We have no intention to change it,” said Richardson. “The courtroom is part of the county, just like we are.”

Hodges returned to the podium, questioning the board about the storage of 1,500 items that were recently donated. Historical society president Camilla Tramuel also chimed in, asking if the courthouse would be still accessible for activities, such as the ‘Step into 1862’ event sponsored by the organization last year.

District 4 supervisor Ron Stiers and District 1 supervisor Thomas Evelyn optioned space and an office for the group at the New Kent Welcome Center. While the group acknowledged the gesture, they rebutted, saying they prefer to remain in the historical part of the county.

Davis signaled for electoral board chairman Charles Moss Sr. to comment on the registrar’s office relocation.

“My concern is wherever we are located, we want to be visible,” said Moss on the new location of the office towards the rear of the Health and Human services building. “It’ll be harsh to the elderly people to conduct transactions with the registrar’s office.”

County administrator Rodney Hathaway told supervisors that he has complied with all but one request made by the registrar’s office, including a 4×8 foot window. The removal of an alarm on a door was denied, citing a safety code issue according to Hathaway. Still, Moss walked away from the podium feeling uncomfortable about the decision.

Hathaway also said that supervisors had an agreement with the historical commission and not the historical society. Commission and society members have an agreement that allows items and documents from the society to be displayed in the Historic Courthouse.

Despite the concern of society members, supervisors elected to vote on the lease to allow the school board to relocate. Supervisors passed the lease with a 4-1 vote, with District 3 representative James Burrell casting the lone dissenting vote.