The Richmond (Va.) district has completed construction of a middle school and two elementary schools, but because of Covid-19, students won't be filling the classrooms for at least the first semester of the 2020-21 school year.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and School Superintendent Jason Kamras held a ceremony to present keys to the principals of the three new schools: Cardinal Elementary, Henry Marsh Elementary and River City Middle.
The three new schools were built with funding from a 1.5% increase in the meals tax, the mayor's office said in a news release.
“This is a community investment,” says Stoney. “And it represents our shared belief that no matter their zip code, family income, race, religion, gender identity, ethnicity, first language or learning style, every single student in [Richmond Public Schools] deserves the same opportunity to learn in a healthy, safe environment.”
Once students return to school in person, the buildings will provide space for 3,250 students. The total project cost for building all three new schools totals about $146 million.
Cardinal Elementary cost about $42 million and has about 116,460 square feet of space.. It can accommodate 1,000 students.
Henry Marsh Elementary cost about $40.1 million and has 99,967 square feet of space. It has space for 750 students.
The 183,759-square-foot River City Middle cost $663.9 million and has space for 1,500 students.
The school board decided earlier this summer that it would have virtual instruction only for the first semester.
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