6-11-2020 Joint MeetingJOINT MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND
THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD HELD AT WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL AT 800 MAIN STREET, SMITHFIELD, VIRGINIA ON THURSDAY, THE
ELEVENTH DAY OF JUNE IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY
PRESENT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Joel C. Acree, Windsor District, Chairman
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District, Vice Chairman
Rudolph Jefferson, Hardy District
William M. McCarty, Newport District
Don G. Rosie, II, Carrsville District
SCHOOL BOARD
Jacqueline W. Carr
Victoria Hulick
Julia Perkins
Denise N. Tynes
Alvin W. Wilson
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Robert W. Jones, Jr., County Attorney
Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
SCHOOL BOARD
Dr. James Thornton, Superintendent
Tracey Reutt, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
The joint meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Chairman Acree of the
Board of Supervisors and Chairperson Jacqueline Carr of the School Board.
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted followed by a moment of silence.
Chairperson Carr explained that the purpose of today's joint meeting is for the
two boards to continue a discussion on the possibilities for Westside Elementary
School, specifically to renovate or build a new school located next to Smithfield
Middle School with ballfields being relocated.
Dr. Thornton shared the prototype fee structure to include the benefits of a
prototype school and the items that remain unchanged. He then shared a
preliminary cost model for a typical fee and a prototype fee for Hardy Elementary
School which is $27.4 million pending market conditions when the project is bid.
Custom design changes would incur a fee, but there are several areas for savings:
1
i.e., the architectural fees for a prototype range from $1.7 million to $2.6 million
whereas the architectural fees for a typical school would be a range of $2.7
million to $3.2 million. The architect has agreed to waive the fee for altering the
curved entrance at Florence Bowser School to a square entrance for the Hardy
Elementary School.
Discussion on a Construction Manager with a different role than took place when
Georgie D. Tyler Middle School was built. This would be a Construction Manager
at Risk, which an RFP has been published. Dr. Thornton then discussed the
difference as well as the cost savings.
Supervisor Jefferson inquired about the number of change orders submitted
during the construction of Florence Bowser and if they were incorporated into the
final build. Dr. Thornton expressed that he did not know the number of change
orders submitted but explained that with discussion often the contractor will
compromise, however, some changes will cost additional money which is why it is
important to have a Construction Manager at Risk.
Dr. Thornton apprised the boards on the status of Westside Elementary School.
The last numbers received from the firm seemed very high and now that we have
hired an architect, Westside Elementary School is in a much worse condition than
Hardy Elementary School. Since the board's last meeting, the School Division and
the architect have looked at the land across from Smithfield Middle School and
has stated that he could put a 1,000 -student school with parking next to
Smithfield Middle School and the associated ballfields across the street.
Supervisor Rosie inquired about demolition cost and was advised approximately
$400,000 to demolish Hardy Elementary School which brings us to the discussion
of whether to renovate or build a new Westside Elementary School. There are
already several refurbishing projects in Westside Elementary School which could
be a great community space. There is also potential for the current Westside
Elementary School if the decision down the road was to build a new school.
Supervisor McCarty reiterated putting a lot of resources into Westside Elementary
School may not be the best option when you think of longevity, and he remains in
favor of building a new Westside Elementary School; however, the question is
what does that price tag look like?
Vice -Chairman Grice asked Dr. Thornton to explain the difference from Civil
Design with Schematic Design. A general understanding is although the
construction might be a Prototype School no steps can be skipped, and the same
testing of the structure must take place. He advised that he has viewed several
modular schools built in Chesterfield also built by RRMM and they were coming in
at $190 to $221 per square foot. The variable number he is seeing between the
two is the site work. He feels we should move quickly on the soil testing for Hardy
Elementary School and he also agrees the management company should be at
risk.
Mrs. Hulick pointed out that Isle of Wight County is probably more susceptible to
construction costs in Norfolk than in Chesterfield County. Supervisor Grice
2
suggested we should be in a stronger position if they were doing both schools.
Dr. Thornton warned there could be some legal concerns with this seeing the RFP
for Hardy Elementary School has already gone through the extensive process.
Dr. Thornton shared with the boards that the School Division would be pleased to
put another RFP out for Westside Elementary School. Mrs. Hulick is reluctant to
start the process over to include both schools with the variance of what the
market could be, we have a good number now and the unknown is the interest
rate could go up if things get pushed back another six months.
Chairman Acree stated that everyone agrees something must be done with
Westside Elementary School; however, citizens have commented they don't want
the Board to act hastily or hurry though the process. There was a unanimous
consensus of the Board of Supervisors to put out an RFP for Westside Elementary
School.
County Administrator Keaton shared a funding timeline and an Existing and
Proposed Debt Service Comparison with the boards.
Mrs. Tynes shared she is also in favor of moving forward with two schools
simultaneously.
Vice -Chairman Grice recommended Mr. Tom Duerig to represent the Board of
Supervisors and the School's committee, and he requested to see a schedule for
Westside Elementary School with an opening date of August 2023.
Supervisor McCarty moved that the School Division move forward with an RFP for
Westside Elementary School. The motion was adopted unanimously (5-0) with
Supervisors Acree, Grice, McCarty, Jefferson and Rosie voting in favor of the
motion and no Supervisors voting against the motion.
Dr. Thornton stated that the School Division will gather all the information and
send same to County Administrator Keaton.
With no further business before the Board of Supervisors, the meeting was
adjourned at 4:53 p.m.
Joel C.Acree, Chair
,4 Lrq
Carey r9
torm, Jerk
3