The Chesterfield County (Va.) district is holding virtual ribbon cuttings this week to celebrate the completion of three replacement elementary school buildings.
The district says the replacement buildings for Harrowgate Elementary, Matoaca Elementary and Manchester Middle were paid for with funds from a 2013 bond referendum.
“The overwhelming support the community showed when voting for the bond referendum speaks volumes about the importance our residents place on equity and education,” Superintendent Merv Daugherty says. “The completion of these school replacement construction projects will provide our students and teachers with remarkable learning environments where they feel both safe and supported as they imagine tomorrow.”
Because of state guidelines for gatherings, each of the ribbon cuttings will be held virtually to help maintain proper social distancing.
The new Harrowgate Elementary in Chester, Va., replaces a building constructed in 1959. The $22.5 million replacement campus has been built on a former recreational area in Harrowgate Park next to Carver Middle. It has about 96,000 square feet of space and is built to accommodate up to 750 students.
The new Matoaca Elementary in Petersburg, Va., replaces a campus built 83 years ago. The $25 million building has about 93,000 square feet of space and will house about 750 students.
The new Manchester Middle in Richmond, Va., replaces a facility that opened 55 years ago as Manchester High and since 1992 housed Manchester Middle. The new $41 million campus has about 140,000 square feet of space and will house about 1,100 students.
