New Kent registrar’s office, school board relocating

A seek-and-find book is usually reserved for children to find objects or locations hidden in pictures. In New Kent, citizens will have to readjust after county supervisors chose to relocate three departments.

New Kent’s school board offices, registrar’s office, and fire and rescue personnel are moving after supervisors voted 4-1 to approve a two-year temporary move at the July 8 meeting.

School administration will relocate from the building across the street to the New Kent Historic Courthouse. The move will also force the county’s registrar office to shuffle to the fire administration building (with a possibility of moving into area occupied by Quin Rivers), and force New Kent fire/rescue personnel to relocate into the old county attorney offices.

New Kent superintendent of schools Rick Richardson said the move will provide the 11 employees with more than just space.

“Calling this move a morale booster is an understatement,” he said. “Being the largest single county employer, we want to provide adequate services for parents, visitors, and guests.”

Richardson commented on the difficulty of conducting meetings in the current building. The superintendent told supervisors about the reshuffling of employees and lack of access to offices as required by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) due to the awkwardness of the building. He concluded by emphasizing the upgrade in operations and the size and number of restrooms in the current facility.

While Richardson displayed delight in the move, he wanted to let others know it was not a personal vendetta against employees of the registrar’s office.

“I understand how they feel and don’t want to move,” the superintendent commented. “It is not about us against them, but this move will benefit the schools.”

On the other side, legal concerns remained the chief concern for employees of the registrar’s office. County electoral board vice-chairman William Jeffries cited legal sources, pointing to ADA requirements, as well as accessibility for disabled voters and providing curbside services. He also implicated legal bindings that may prevent the move.

However, District 1 represented Thomas Evelyn asked county attorney Michele Gowdy about the proposal. According to Gowdy’s interpretation, she said that the Department of Justice will not have a problem with the move.

Evelyn addressed the concerns before giving his reasons for the move.

“This move will save the taxpayers $45,000 and is a temporary fix for space problems,” said the District 1 representative.

Owner of the current school board building, Taylor Moore, has offered to reduce the rent to $25,400 to the county for the school administration use. The price, however, comes with conditions of a three-year commitment and the reduction would not kick in until Jan. 1 of next year.

District 3 representative James Burrell sided with members of the registar’s office, mentioning his concerns for the proposed move may hurt the elderly community.

“I want to see the school board move, but don’t want to see it any more difficult for citizens to vote,” said Burrell. “Maybe we can renegotiate with Mr. Moore and get the contract reduced from three years to two years.”

That suggestion, however, would not come to fruition. Evelyn’s motion was passed 4-1, with Burrell casting the lone opposing vote.

After the meeting, county electoral board chairman Charles Moss Sr. spoke about the decision.

“I’m disappointed, but I understand where they are coming from,” he said. “Their choice still has to be approved by the Department of Justice.

“I’ve told them all the legal issues,” continued Moss. “It’s just a wait and see kind of thing at this time.”

Richardson expects the school board to relocate before the beginning of the upcoming school year.