Board reviews schematic design for $26.5M Johnson Elementary renovation; site and safety upgrades planned

Henrico County School Board members on June 12 reviewed the schematic design for the renovation of Charles M. Johnson Elementary School, a $26.5 million project funded by the 2022 bond referendum that will add a secure main entrance, relocate the bus loop, expand parking and renovate administration, library and cafeteria spaces.

The project matters for the Johnson school community because it updates aging systems, improves security and accessibility, and reorganizes site circulation to separate bus and parent traffic.

Moseley Architects presented the schematic design. Key elements presented included: - Project budget: $26,500,000 funded through the 2022 bond referendum. - Site work: relocate and modernize the bus loop to the east side of campus, provide a new main parent drop-off loop aligned with a new main entry, and expand staff and visitor parking. The existing parking count was noted as about 82 spaces; the design anticipates expanding that to roughly 100'to'145 spaces depending on final configuration. - Security and circulation: a new main entry addition will include a security vestibule and reconfigured front office to improve visibility and screening; public parking will be relocated to the front of campus for direct access to the main office. - Building work: full renovation of the administration building, library and cafeteria (new windows, doors, ceilings/lighting, mechanical and electrical upgrades and space reconfiguration) and a refresh of other classroom buildings; individual toilets will be added to classrooms to eliminate the need for students to leave rooms to reach restroom facilities. - Schedule notes: Moseley plans to complete design this fall, with bidding in late fall and school board construction approval shortly after the new year. Because the project is a phased, occupied renovation, the site work (including parking and bus loop) is expected to occur primarily in summer 2026 to limit disruption during the school year.

Board members asked detailed questions about student access during the construction phasing, the placement of visitor and parent access points, canopies and sidewalks, landscaping (including native plants), window replacement and a solar initiative. Moseley and division staff said classroom buildings last renovated in 2011 still have service life on their windows, while the administration, cafeteria and multipurpose building will receive new windows; canopy and sidewalk improvements are planned and landscaping/planting will be reviewed with county plan development requirements.

On security, architects said they will work with the division's school safety office and apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) reviews required by state guidance. Staff noted they would not publicly disclose some specific security measures but will limit access points and coordinate placement of scanners with school security teams and principals.

Moseley and division staff will return with refined documents; there was no board vote to approve construction funding at this meeting beyond schematic review. The board member representing the district thanked the presentation and asked staff to minimize instructional disruptions and schedule heavy site work during summer months.

If timelines hold, construction bidding and contract awards will follow in late 2025 with major site work and parking/bus-loop construction slated for summer 2026 to reduce impacts on instruction.