New Kent schools pre-plan for enrollment increase in near future

New Kent superintendent of schools David Myers is putting a final touch on plans to embrace a projected enrollment increase over the next few years.

Myers addressed school board members Monday night, focusing on options to help accommodate student population. According to Myers, a projection of more than 3,000 students in FY2015-16 is still expected as the result of studies conducted by office personnel and the University of Virginia.

The superintendent continues to raise concerns about capacity at New Kent Elementary and New Kent Middle School.

“At New Kent Elementary, we are running out of options on where to place trailers,” said Myers. “At New Kent Middle School, it was built to add an additional wing and that could save us a lot of money.”

Myers is banking on a technology initiative at New Kent Middle School to free up three classrooms through mobile computers. If the conjoining wing is added to the middle school, it may add five additional classrooms to bring the grand total to eight classrooms. Those classrooms would help seat 800 students by FY2016-17 at the middle school.

In another matter, school finance director Haynie Morgheim announced that the new state budget will provide $131,900 more in funds for the school. Morgheim attributes the additional money to both Senate and House of Delegates proposals to provide raises to teachers. Myers added the funds will help provide a proposed 1.5 percent raise to all workers in the FY2015-16 budget.

Not all news was positive from the school board meeting. Myers announced that deteriorating conditions of the tennis courts will force the high school tennis program to travel for this year’s matches. While repairs would cost $60,000, the superintendent said even the temporary fix wouldn’t be sufficient as the process may have to occur again. Myers said he plans to speak with county supervisors in an effort to bump up construction of new tennis courts behind the high school and add the project to this year’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).