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Board debates additions versus a fourth high school as enrollment grows
Summary
Trustees asked the long‑range planning advisory committee to study both near‑term additions and a new comprehensive high school for northern Albemarle, and discussed funding options including a possible 1% sales tax and bond referendums ahead of an Oct. 23 advisory report and a Nov. 13 CIP decision.
Albemarle County School Board members signaled broad support on Sept. 11 for pursuing both short‑term additions to existing high schools and a long‑term plan for a fourth comprehensive high school in the northern part of the county.
Maya Kumazawa, director of budget and planning, presented three long‑range alternatives under review: (1) a third center plus additions (roughly 1,000 added seats), (2) targeted expansions to existing facilities (about 800 seats) and (3) a new comprehensive high school (1,300–1,600 seats). "The first alternative is a new center... that would house about 600 students per day," Kumazawa said as staff outlined evaluation metrics and an Oct. 23 timeline for the long‑range planning advisory committee report.
Board members repeatedly returned to affordability and timing. Several trustees said additions at Western Albemarle and Monticello could relieve immediate overcrowding while a bond, a one‑percent sales tax (estimated at about $25 million per year) or phased land‑use options could fund a new school over multiple years. Trustees cautioned that using existing renovation funds for additions could delay other critical maintenance work.
"We need a new high school and additions," one member said, summarizing the prevailing sentiment that a combination of short‑term capacity fixes and a long‑term new high school is necessary to keep pace with projected growth.
Staff asked the board for direction to the long‑range planning advisory committee; trustees responded by asking the committee to study both short‑term additions and the long‑term comprehensive school option and to return recommendations for the Nov. CIP request and a Dec. 3 joint meeting with the board of supervisors.
No final funding decisions were made; the board's direction will be incorporated into the advisory committee's Oct. 23 report and the Nov. 13 CIP action item.
