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VBCPS details summer capital work: HVAC, roofing, solar and upgrades tied to CTE expansion
Summary
Facility services presented planned summer work across the division, including HVAC replacements at roughly 10 sites, roofing and foundation projects, two LED conversions, a solar PPA at Newcastle Elementary, athletic field work and support to open a new welding lab at Renaissance Academy.
The division’s executive director of facility services told the school board Thursday that a wide slate of summer capital and maintenance projects is underway to ensure buildings are ready for students in the fall and to support new CTE capacity.
Melissa Ingram outlined major HVAC projects at about 10 schools, roofing replacements at multiple sites, foundation repairs at middle schools and infrastructure upgrades to support specialized programs. "These projects are essential to ensuring schools are safe, clean, comfortable, and fully operational when students and staff return for the next school year," Ingram said.
Ingram said roofing work will be completed this summer at several schools and that foundation repairs will continue at Bayside Middle School and Kempville Middle School (year two of a three‑year project). The division also plans LED lighting conversions at White Oaks and Ocean Lakes and installation of solar panels at Newcastle Elementary under a power purchase agreement intended to lower electricity costs at that site.
Site improvements include ADA sidewalk upgrades at middle schools, playground and courtyard work to improve accessibility for special education populations, and collaborative flood‑protection work with city partners along the Elizabeth River shoreline near Arrowhead Elementary.
Athletic projects include a new synthetic turf field at Lancetown High School and new gym bleachers at Salem High School; Ingram said the rubber track at Lancetown will not be replaced this summer because it was updated less than 10 years ago. She reiterated that work at Renaissance Academy will include ventilation, electrical infrastructure and equipment to support the planned welding laboratory.
In response to board questions about "data center" references, Ingram clarified that each school has a data closet or IDF that requires cooling and that the administration building HVAC upgrade supports those spaces independent of the city loop system.
Ingram closed by thanking maintenance and custodial teams and noting that some projects will continue throughout the summer as work progresses toward completion. The board recessed to reconvene later for the formal session.
