Quinton Elementary School primed for welcoming students to school on Sept. 6

New Kent school board chairwoman Kristen Swynford (center) is surrounded by members of both the school board and county supervisors as she cuts the ribbon to signify the opening of Quinton Elementary School.

Andre' Jones photos

After several discussions, years of planning, and a delayed opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Quinton Elementary School is ready to open to students and teachers in the western portion of New Kent County.

A ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony took place on Sept. 1 in front of the school’s main entrance with more than 100 people in attendance.

Talks about a new elementary school began in 2014, when projects from Welden-Cooper expected a boom in New Kent County when it came to student-population. Not only did that number boom, but it exceeded it to the point where the locality became the second fastest growing one in the county.

The journey to build a new school wasn’t an easy one. When the Quinton Elementary project was first proposed, a figure of $28 million was listed. But when a new cost ballooned to $35-37 million for the construction, New Kent County supervisors put the project on hold to reevaluate the cost not only due to the change, but also the global pandemic. But after the COVID-19 pandemic came to a point where students could return to schools, county leaders approved appropriating $35.5 million towards the construction of Quinton Elementary. Of that amount, $26 million would be borrowed. To date and thanks to in-house project manager Tim Pollock, cost for the school is currently under budget.

“This has been a great partnership between the school board and the board of supervisors,” commented New Kent Superintendent of Schools Brian Nichols. “We have looked forward to this day in opening the doors.”

New Kent Board of Supervisors chairman Thomas Evelyn echoed the sentiments and partnership with the schools.

“I want to thank my fellow members on the board of supervisors for having insight on this project,” Evelyn said, mentioning how a school construction set aside fun was established to help cover debt services that will be incurred with Quinton Elementary School opening. “I want to thank former superintendent of schools Dave Myers, current superintendent Brian Nichols, and the school board for working with us to make this happen. I also want to thank Moseley Engineering for honoring their bid and to get this project completed, under budget, and on time despite the supply chain issues.”

An open tour of the facility took place after the ribbon cutting ceremony, with students and parents able to enter the building during an open house that evening. The first day of school for New Kent County Public Schools is Sept. 6.

A mosaic in the main hallway displays the proud mascot of students as they will be known as the Quinton Cubs.

Veteran New Kent art teacher Susan Vick (right) gets acquainted to her new room as she puts the final touches for students to return on Sept. 6.