Board OKs county funds to buy Drew Middle School site and nearby storage property after residents raise traffic concerns

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted May 6 to appropriate school year‑end and capital funds for two school‑related land transactions: funding to acquire a site for the Drew Middle School replacement and a separate purchase of a nearby property on Blackjack Road for school storage and training.

The board approved three related budget actions during the meeting. The board first appropriated $3.10 million to replace aging Chromebooks (motion passed). It then approved using $2.5 million from county land funds to purchase a site for the Drew Middle School replacement project; that appropriation passed unanimously. Separately, the board approved a $2.95 million appropriation to buy tax parcel 38C‑5 at 42 Blackjack Road for storage purposes; that purchase passed by a 4–3 vote.

Residents who addressed the board urged caution about the proposed Drew site on Cliff Farm Road, saying the planned school placement would be close to existing houses and could worsen traffic and safety concerns. Bob Roulette, a Cliff Farm Road resident, said neighbors appreciated work by school staff but remained worried about "adequate road improvements, traffic congestion, the impact to the local rural residential community with light, noise pollution, traffic and so forth." Tim Deer, who lives about 200 feet from the proposed northeast corner, told the board he was concerned the current positioning would place a 35‑foot brick wall roughly 300 feet in front of his house and said he preferred green space such as a soccer field.

Board and staff response: School and county staff told the board they had been working with neighbors and that adjustments to site plans could be considered to address safety and buffering, but specifics will follow in design and engineering phases. County staff also reiterated that transportation improvements related to the new school — including realigning portions of Cliff Farm Road in later design work — would be developed as part of the project; supervisors asked transportation staff to return with estimates and phasing options.

Blackjack purchase and storage need: County staff explained the Blackjack Road parcel would provide warehouse and classroom-style space for transportation, information technology and nutrition services. Supporters argued owning the site reduces long‑term lease costs and provides training and staging space for staff. Opponents and some supervisors said the division should first evaluate whether existing, county‑owned school property (such as vacated or repurposed school buildings once new schools open) could be adapted before buying new property. The Blackjack purchase was approved by a 4–3 vote.

Why it matters: The board's actions commit county capital to the Drew project and to an operations property near major school facilities. Neighbors remain concerned about proximity of school facilities to private homes and the scale of required road improvements; supervisors asked staff for more detailed traffic and engineering estimates before final design decisions.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with purchase transactions per the appropriations, continue community engagement on Drew site design, and return to the board with transportation cost estimates and proposed mitigation or phasing options.