Chesapeake superintendent presents $621.6 million capital improvement plan; new Career Center prioritized

The Chesapeake School Board received the superintendent's proposed capital improvement plan (CIP) for 20262036 during its meeting. Pedro Martinez, planning administrator, told the board the first five years of the plan carry a projected cost of $621,595,000, and identified a new Chesapeake Career Center and a full replacement of Carver Intermediate School as major priorities.

Martinez said the CIP is a long-range planning tool, stressing, "The CIP is our long range planning tool for capital projects costing $100,000 or more. It is a 10 year plan recommended by the superintendent to the school board with a detailed financial focus on the first 5 years." He reiterated that "this is a plan, not a budget," and that funding for projects would be subject to the city council's budget process.

Why it matters: the CIP sets facility priorities and a funding ask the city must consider. The superintendent's proposal allocates roughly 43% ($266,603,500) to mechanical and maintenance projects (including 22 HVAC replacements, 18 roof replacements and 7 repaving projects), about 41% ($253,491,500) to modernizations, replacements and additions, and about 16% ($101,500,000) to other projects. The $101.5 million listed in the "other" category includes the estimated construction cost for a full replacement of the Chesapeake Career Center (design costs already funded, Martinez said).

Key project details Martinez presented: - Chesapeake Career Center: proposed replacement on a district-owned site on Clearfield Avenue; estimated construction cost approximately $101,500,000 (design costs already funded), not including site-design contingencies. - Carver Intermediate School: full replacement proposed; estimated construction cost about $84,200,000 and reconfiguration from grades 325 to a K25 elementary. - Work to support conversion of intermediate/primary grade spans to K25 where feasible; design funds for additions at Sparrow Road Intermediate and Greenbrier Intermediate; modernization or replacement plans for Gritt Intermediate and others. - Two projects already fully funded and not included in the totals: Southeastern Elementary addition (scheduled to open fall 2026) and a new elementary at Culpeper Landing (scheduled to open fall 2027).

Martinez also reviewed the enrollment and residential development data that inform the CIP. He said 5,778 homesites have preliminary approval for future development and cautioned that preliminary approval does not guarantee construction or timing. He described recent enrollment trends and said the division's projected enrollment for Sept. 30 is about 39,900 students, with a modest projected increase of roughly 1,900 students over the next decade but with uncertainty tied to construction timing and birthrates.

Next steps and public engagement: Martinez said the board will receive two additional work sessions on the CIP. The staff presentation and work session are scheduled for Nov. 17, followed by a public hearing and a final decision request on Dec. 8. Printed copies of the proposed CIP are available at the School Administration Building and an electronic copy is on the district website, Martinez said.

The presentation included cost-by-year detail; Martinez said the first year (202627) shows a projected need of $55,247,900 for projects in early phases. He closed by answering a few preliminary questions and noting the plan will be refined during upcoming sessions.