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Navy awards nearly $2M to Smithville High welding program; board approves budget increase and RRMM A/E contract
Summary
The school board accepted an almost $2 million Navy grant to modernize Smithville High Schools welding lab, voted to increase the FY25-26 budget by $1,964,153.38 contingent on the Board of Supervisors' appropriation, and approved an architectural and engineering agreement with RRMM Architects for $258,462.
The Isle of Wight County School Board on May 21 accepted a Navy grant of nearly $2,000,000 to expand and modernize Smithville High Schools welding laboratory, approved a contingent FY25-26 budget increase to allow the project to proceed, and authorized architectural and engineering services with RRMM Architects.
Presenter Miss Gitz told the board, "We have been awarded the grant almost $2,000,000 from the Navy. This grant will allow us to expand and modernize our welding facility at Smithville High School." She said the award is grant-funded only and "is not for any instructional staff," but will cover facility renovation, exhaust systems, and new equipment.
Staff described the project as doubling the labs capacity from current levels to about 120 certification slots across the year, which the presenter said would allow the district to accommodate students currently on a wait list estimated at about 30. Miss Gitz said the district aims to have the renovated lab open for the second semester, with an execution date noted as June 1.
The board moved to increase the FY25-26 budget by $1,964,153.38 contingent on the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors approving that appropriation; the motion passed by roll call. The board then approved an architectural and engineering agreement with RRMM Architects in the amount of $258,462 to support design and construction for the welding lab.
Board members asked clarifying questions about where renovations would take place, how seats lost to outside partnerships would be recaptured, and the programs capacity assumptions. Staff said the grant is targeted to prepare welders for the maritime industry and that the district will reconfigure space vacated by technology programs to expand the welding lab.
Next steps identified in the meeting: proceed with A/E work, seek the Board of Supervisors' appropriation, and begin project execution once necessary local approvals and funding are in place.
