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Public commenters urge continued transportation funding, classroom space fixes and bathroom updates in Colonial Heights
Summary
During the 2025–26 budget public hearing, residents praised the current calendar and urged the board to prioritize activity buses, middle-school bathroom repairs and additional classroom space for growing programs. The board acknowledged the concerns as it moved forward with budget and capital plans.
At the public hearing section of the Oct. 22 meeting, community members addressed the 2025–26 budget and raised site-specific facilities concerns the board said it will consider in planning.
R. Rath, who identified himself as a teacher and resident, strongly endorsed the current school calendar and urged continued investment in transportation that supports after‑school activities. "The funding of those activity buses has enriched those kids' lives," he said, noting the buses enable students to participate in clubs and extracurriculars they otherwise could not.
A second commenter (identified as Car Panto) described classroom overcrowding and the use of trailers for preschool and specialized programs, saying tutors and small-group instruction sometimes lack adequate space. The commenter asked the board to plan for additional rooms in future budgets, noting this affects inclusion and students' ability to feel safe and included.
Rath and other speakers also called out aging facilities at the middle school, describing original 1954 bathrooms in need of repair and a stall modified to be ADA‑compliant that now contains two toilets in one stall. Board members acknowledged the remarks when staff later presented capital updates.
In the business-services report, staff reported a recent down payment for HVAC units and said bids for outside-air and rooftop units at the tech building will be due Nov. 8 after a pre-bid meeting Oct. 29. Staff also said a cellular service assessment vendor quoted a package exceeding $500,000 to address reception across six buildings; staff proposed phasing the work into the five-year capital plan.
The board approved the consent agenda, the financial report for September and several program and personnel items while noting community concerns about facilities and classroom space would be considered in budget and CIP discussions.
Next steps: staff will include capital priorities in the five-year plan and return budget/CIP details for board review during the upcoming budget process.
