By MARY EVA CASSADA
Special to The News & Record
Wednesday’s jubilant opening of two new schools and an overhauled Middle School is for some an unpleasant contrast with system’s two schools that remain without improvements.
“What about those kids at Sinai and Meadville?” asks a father who asked not to be named even though his child has graduated from one of the schools.
The two elementaries have not enjoyed the improvements and updates that the other remodeled facilities have. They most notably lack an indoor gym.
Cluster Springs and South Boston christened large and brand-new K-5 schools Wednesday; the others – Sydnor Jennings, Scottsburg and Clays Mill – have had recent expansions and remodeling.
School Board Vice Chairman Steve Anderson readily acknowledges that Sinai and Sydnor Jennings are “left behind.”
“We still have other buildings we need to add” to the list, he said.
“Hopefully, the Board of Supervisors will work with us,” he said.
In Virginia, school boards have no taxing authority and are dependent upon Supervisors for their finances.
“Money is the driving force,” Anderson added – and said the he thought remodeling was pricier than new construction.
“The only difference is in the facilities themselves,” said Schools Superintendent Paul Stapleton, praising teachers in those schools.
“There’s no diminished learning,” he added.
But Sinai and Meadville “will be addressed some time in the future” and he will ask “what we can do to bring these facilities up to standard.”
Both brand-new schools open far shy of their student capacity. Cluster Springs can hold 850 children (but expects about 650 this year) and South Boston, 950 (with 750-800 anticipated immediately). The core of each school – the cafeteria, library, bathrooms, HVAC – could accommodate 1,000 with additional classrooms.