The New Kent County School Board voted unanimously on Nov. 11 to forward its proposed FY2027 Capital Improvement Plan to the county for funding consideration after a second‑read presentation and debate over several large projects.

Mister Hockman, presenting the plan, listed updated costs including a transportation request of $752,000, a New Kent High School roof phase at $280,138, a rooftop‑unit replacement phase estimated at $1,057,000 for the first two of ten units and athletic upgrades including a $976,000 figure for tennis‑court improvements. Hockman described the tennis‑court option as a long‑life installation: "It's a 50 year guarantee," he said, arguing the paid warranty and reduced repeated repairs could produce lifecycle savings compared with ongoing repairs.

Board member Mister Reimer pushed back on that specific item, saying, "My concern is this is a 50 year investment," and that a small school division with near‑term budget needs may not be positioned to make a large capital investment now. Other board members and staff noted the board already spends on recurring repairs (the board contributed approximately $65,000 toward court repairs this year) and that approval tonight was to advance the plan to the county rather than to obligate local funds immediately.

Chair clarified the vote authorizes the division to submit the plan to the county and does not lock the division into making every listed expenditure: "This is the proposal that we're gonna put before the county to see what funds that they would give us," he said, adding that the county may reprioritize projects during its review.

Hockman also provided classroom and instructional cost updates: new classroom estimates (for bridal school classrooms and George Watkins) were listed at $5,437,000 and $6,718,000 respectively; district lighting and concessions/restroom work for the stadium were discussed but given as items still being costed. The presenter said the plan totals just under $5 million in preliminary requests but cautioned that figures could change as estimates are finalized and as the county reviews priorities.

The board voted unanimously to forward the plan. Next steps include county-level review and possible reprioritization; any individual project will return to the board for further local approvals as required.