NK School Board taking plan for 3rd elementary to parents

In an effort to keep parents up to date, New Kent’s School Board is planning to hold information meetings at both of the county’s elementary schools to discuss its Jan. 27 decision to renovate the “north building” at the county’s Historic School. The renovation project would create a third elementary school for grades K-5.

School officials are opting for a single meeting to attract parents from both New Kent Elementary and G.W. Watkins Elementary. (As of press time, no date, time, or place has been set, but updates will appear on our web site nkccnews.com and Facebook as soon as information becomes available.)

Of particular interest to parents is that creating a third elementary school will require school district boundaries to be redrawn. That means based on where they live, some students could be attending a different school once the third elementary becomes operational.

School board members opted during the Jan. 27 work session to proceed with the Historic School renovation. Board members rejected an option of adding new wings of 10 classrooms at both Watkins and New Kent Elementary. (For the story on the board’s decision, see page 3.)

Principals at both existing elementary schools reported that some parents are unaware that the third elementary school option has been under consideration. They also said some parents mistakenly believe students will be placed in a Historic School setting that lacks modern renovations.

Board members acknowledged that parents might not be paying attention to details concerning the third elementary school proposal, even though information has been released through media in recent weeks.

“I think parents need to know what we are recommending and what the reservations are,” said board member Gail Hardinge. “The sentiment in the county is we are not being heard.”