Powhatan school board splits over Pocahontas Landmark Center; rescinds 60-day pause

The Powhatan County School Board debated whether to allow the Board of Supervisors to take over and rehabilitate portions of the Pocahontas Landmark Center or to proceed with a planned demolition. After more than an hour of testimony from board members about historical value, future school facilities needs and county funding, the board voted 3-2 to rescind a 60-day pause and continue toward demolition as previously scheduled.

Board members who urged keeping the property in school ownership said rehabilitating buildings C and D would preserve locally important structures and could save the county money compared with building new facilities. They said a county-funded rehabilitation could leave the schools with the option to use the space later if enrollment or program needs change. Board members who opposed turning the campus to the county said the district must think long-term about land and facility needs and that past studies showed costly repairs would not be fiscally prudent.

The two sides also disagreed over how the campus has been managed and whether a county takeover would include guarantees that Powhatan County Public Schools would retain use rights when needed. One board member said supervisors offered to “pay all the bills” and provide an MOU allowing continued school use; others said the county’s proposal felt like a takeover rather than a cooperative arrangement. Concerns about traffic and parking at the Pocahontas campus during school hours were repeatedly raised.

A roll-call vote on a motion to end the 60-day pause produced a 3-2 result: District 3, District 4 and District 2 voted to remove the pause; Districts 1 and 5 voted no. The motion instructs staff to notify the Board of Supervisors that the school board’s 60-day hold is no longer in effect. The board did not adopt any new detailed facilities plan at the meeting; members said future options remain contingent on county decisions and any formal MOUs or agreements.

The question touched on broader county budgeting: supervisors had proposed funds for a community center in their CIP and some board members said letting the county renovate portions of the campus could be a cost-saving community benefit. Other members said preserving land near existing school facilities is strategically important for possible future school capacity needs. No demolition work was reported as immediately starting at the meeting; staff said any work would follow required contracting and permitting steps.