New Kent Supervisors elect to maintain control of Historic School renovations

New Kent supervisors elected unanimously to keep managerial control on renovations of the Historic School.

Supervisors took action on Oct. 15 at its regular board meeting after deferring the matter from a special meeting with New Kent’s School Board on Oct. 8. The action is the result of an Aug. 1 letter from Hunter Barnes, an architectural consultant for Virginia’s Department of Education, to New Kent’s Board of Supervisors over a misinterpretation of alleged decisions made by New Kent’s school board. Those concerns prompted county supervisors to take the decision-making process of phases three and four of renovations away from schools.

When addressing the subject, District 3 supervisor Jimmy Burrell reiterated his stance and feelings. He motioned for supervisors to retain control of renovations.

“I know where the school board is coming from,” he said, mentioning his tenure as a school board member in the past. “I just believe we [board of supervisors] would do a better job managing it.”

District 1 supervisor Thomas Evelyn weighed in, asking for healthy cooperation between both boards during future decision making processes.

“If we are going to keep control, we need a subcommittee set-up,” Evelyn said, proposing an amendment to Burrell’s motion. “It can’t be a school without the superintendent involved when he has to sign off on it.”

Burrell’s motion included the set-up of a subcommittee, including cooperation from county staff members as well to help oversee the project. The motion passed 5-0.
School board members elected no to comment. Superintent of schools Rick Richardson said in a phone conversation yesterday (Wednesday) that while he cannot speak on behalf of the school board, discussions and opinions on the issue remain ongoing between members.

Afterwards, county administrator Rodney Hathaway commented on key factors that determined supervisors’ decision to keep control of the Historic School renovations.

“It all boils down to keeping better control of the cost,” said Hathaway. “Supervisors have had independent conversations with school board members in making their decision.

“Just because the board has taken action on this doesn’t mean they are not going to work with the school board,” added the county administrator. “They want to work with the schools and will be open to suggestions they have.”

District 2 supervisor Tommy Tiller reiterated afterwards need for a joint collaboration between supervisors and the school board, but said a $500,000 figure for architectural planning disturbed supervisors enough to move for retaining control.

“It made us think,” said Tiller. “We wanted to make sure the money set aside would be used for the renovations and that we stay within our guidelines and appropriations.”

Supervisors are expected to form a subcommittee during their Oct. 30 work session.