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Board approves submission of Head Start renovation grant for Draper Elementary
Summary
The Rockingham County Board of Education voted to submit a Head Start grant application to renovate Draper Elementary. Board members were told the grant would fund building upgrades and that no local spending is requested at this time; details about classroom usage and future acceptance of funds will return to the board if the grant is awarded.
The Rockingham County Board of Education voted Jan. 13 to allow district staff to submit a Head Start grant application to renovate Draper Elementary and pursue required architectural and budget work.
Superintendent Dr. Stover said the district had received architectural specifications and a budget narrative and that staff sought the board’s approval to “further investigate and move on this request.”
Dr. Corcoran, who presented the project to the board, said the architectural review identified additional items not included in the original estimate — most notably an upgraded HVAC system, electrical panels, plumbing work, a grease trap for the kitchen, a partition to split the cafeteria for gross-motor use, casework and flooring, and security cameras. “When they asked us for the drawings… the HVAC system and the electrical panel and all of that” were added, Dr. Corcoran said.
Head Start staffer Miss Jumper told the board that the district would not be required to spend local funds to apply: the building’s value can be used as the non‑federal share if the grant is awarded, and the Head Start grantee would receive and manage the funds if approved. “There’s no request for you at this point to spend any money out of your local budget,” she said.
Board members pressed on alternatives for district needs: Paula Raikstra raised overcrowding at Central Elementary and asked whether Draper could instead be renovated for K–3 use. Dr. Corcoran said the board would retain authority to pursue other uses, but that Head Start funding typically requires the renovated space be dedicated to Head Start if the grant is accepted.
Board member Philip Butler moved that the district submit the application; a second was recorded and the motion passed with all members voting in favor (no opposition was recorded on the audio record).
The board’s approval was limited to submission of the grant application. Staff said any subsequent award and acceptance of funds, negotiated scope changes or required local commitments would return to the board for formal acceptance and further action.
Clarifying details provided to the board included that the district currently is approved for up to 11 Head Start classrooms but operates eight in the county, that staff will attempt to negotiate reductions with architects if required, and that the grant packet and budget narrative had been distributed to board members in advance.
The board asked that staff continue to update committees and return to the full board as needed during negotiations and if the grant is offered.
