Goochlen County school officials presented a 10,000‑foot view of school facilities needs at the Board’s capital work session, highlighting a planned CTE (career and technical education) addition, building systems work at several elementary and secondary campuses, and a weapons‑detection concept under review.

Why it matters: School facilities planning will compete with county capital priorities for funding. The schools stressed the CTE project will increase career‑training capacity (heavy equipment, culinary, EMT, carpentry and new workforce skills such as robotics and logistics), reduce inter‑site student shuttling, and create regional workforce pipelines tied to local economic development.

Dr. Armstrong, speaking for the school division, framed facilities as “the tangible return on the investment of every citizen” and said the schools are revising their strategic plan concurrent with CIP work. The school presentation said short‑term needs include chillers, boilers, motor‑control systems and roofing work; those projects are in design or procurement with staged completion targets (the chiller was discussed as a multi‑month project aimed at completion in the first quarter of FY27). Schools also listed recurring lifecycle work: roof replacements, lighting/electrical upgrades, restroom renovations, and long‑term plans for Byrd and Randolph elementary schools.

On CTE: staff noted the bond allocation for a CTE addition was listed at $18,200,000 in prior county materials but that comparable projects in neighboring localities suggest actual construction costs will likely exceed that amount. The schools described a program that would consolidate heavy‑equipment, culinary, EMT, carpentry and emerging technical programs (robotics, mechatronics, logistics) into a flexible addition at the secondary complex. The schools said transportation efficiencies and stronger employer partnerships would be benefits.

Weapons detection and safety: school staff described weapons‑detection units that are portable and can be deployed for large events and targeted entries. The division and sheriff’s office said units could be staged for graduation and other high‑attendance events; school staff gave a planning estimate near $500,000 to outfit several entrances and stadium event access points, and they noted staffing and operational procedures would be required to ensure units are manned and effective. Schools said they have pursued available safety grants but do not expect large grant awards because of division characteristics.

Funding and coordination: both county and school staff said the county’s general fund, proffers and bond authorizations are options for financing large school projects. Board members and the superintendent discussed phasing and how to combine several projects to realize efficiencies. The schools requested continued collaboration with county staff on procurement and scheduling so the county and school division can align delivery and avoid competition for scarce construction and project‑management capacity.

Next steps: school staff will refine the CTE program scope, update cost estimates and present a more detailed plan to the Board this fall. Both the county and the schools agreed to coordinate schedules and procurement so bids for major projects can be evaluated and sequenced to match staff capacity and debt policy constraints.