Chesapeake outlines $621.6M, 10-year CIP and requests $55.25M for year 1

The Chesapeake School Board received a work session on the superintendent's proposed 2026–2036 capital improvement plan (CIP) that lays out more than a half-billion dollars in projects and maintenance needs.

Planning administrator Dr. Pedro Martinez reviewed completed summer projects, ongoing work and Year 1 proposals. He said the Year 1 total projected cost is $55,247,900 and the total request for the first five years is $621,595,000. Key Year 1 priorities highlighted included major roof and HVAC replacements, security vestibule upgrades, and design funding for larger replacement projects.

Two major replacement projects were singled out: a proposed new Chesapeake Career Center on the district-owned Clearfield Avenue site with an estimated construction cost of approximately $101,500,000, and a replacement/conversion of Carver Intermediate to a K–5 elementary with an estimated total cost of $84,200,000. Martinez said the Carver design is currently unfunded and city appropriations will determine construction timelines.

Martinez noted ongoing athletic and site projects funded through the Central Athletic Fund, including lighting and bleacher improvements, track replacements and plans for ADA access at high school fields. He said several projects identified as needs (partial roof replacements, certain HVAC work) remained unfunded but are retained in the district's plan.

Martinez described the timeline for local funding: the City Council will consider appropriations for Year 1 in May, and that final city appropriation will determine which projects proceed. "That final appropriation number from the city will determine exactly how many of these vital projects we can complete next year," he told the board.

Next steps: the board will hold a public hearing and is scheduled to take final action on the proposed CIP at a December 8 meeting; City Council action in May will determine construction funding for major projects.