New Kent school board approves smoothie contract, adopts stricter minutes timeline and hears elementary-school cost warning

The New Kent County School Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a student nutrition contract for a fruit smoothie mix, adopted a revision to its minutes policy establishing a two-week deadline for draft minutes, and heard superintendent updates about staffing, summer facilities projects and construction cost escalation for the planned New Kent Elementary School.

“We will open the first day of school on August 18,” Superintendent Dr. Nichols said, updating the board on staffing and summer work. “Our biggest project of the summer is our turf field and track replacement at New Kent High School, which is on time and under budget, and we will be ready for the first home game, which I believe is September 12.”

The board’s minutes-policy revision (policy BDDG) requires that minutes from regular meetings be provided to the board “no later than 2 weeks following the meeting date,” with work-session minutes similarly provided and approved at the next regular meeting or no later than the second regular meeting after the work session, board member Miss Dombrowski said while presenting the proposal.

The board approved a contract for a fruit smoothie mix to a single responding vendor and authorized Dr. Nichols to execute related contract documents. “We would like to offer the contract to Frazzle and allow Dr. Nichols to sign related contract documents,” said the staff member presenting the item, describing the procurement where only one vendor responded and scoring followed the solicitation rubric.

Dr. Nichols told the board the division welcomed 42 new staff members over the summer, including 37 teachers, and that roughly 260 children are registered for kindergarten. He also listed completed and ongoing projects: HVAC work at New Kent Middle School; roof and lighting updates at New Kent High School; and painting, mulching and other maintenance. He described the division’s recently overhauled website and mobile app as well-received by families.

Board members discussed the New Kent Elementary School project’s schedule and cost outlook. Dr. Nichols said, excluding COVID-era distortions, construction escalation has averaged “somewhere between 5 and 8 percent per year,” a figure cited in response to board questions about the cost of delaying the project.

During the meeting board members also reviewed three VSBA-related policy updates on legal references and purchasing procedures, student conduct changes tied to amendments to the Virginia code, and a public-records item that restores language missing from a May 2025 update; those policy changes were presented as a first read and will return for a second read in September.

In closing remarks board members and Dr. Nichols urged community and county-supervisor support for the new elementary school. “A new school is not just an investment in bricks and mortar,” one board member said, “It’s a commitment to our children.” The board adjourned at 6:45 p.m.; its next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2025, at the historic courthouse.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda — motion to approve minutes for February, March, May and July 2025 meetings and superintendent personnel recommendations. Moved: Miss Cooney; second: Miss Dombrowski. Vote: 5–0 (passed).

- Remove webinar proposal from agenda — motion to remove proposal to watch a continuing legal-education webinar. Moved: (board member stated motion on the record); second: Mister Reimer. Vote: 5–0 (item removed from agenda).

- Student nutrition services contract (fruit smoothie mix) — motion to approve award to the sole responding vendor and authorize superintendent to sign. Moved: Mister Reimer; second: (recorded as second). Vote: 5–0 (approved).

- Amend agenda / Approve revision to policy BDDG (minutes) — motion to add action item and approve proposed revision requiring minutes be provided within two weeks and approved at the next regular meeting. Moved: Miss Dombrowski (motion to add); second: Mister Reimer. Final approval motion moved/second on the record. Vote: 5–0 (approved).