Board highlights new preschool wing, campus upgrades and community donations

The Hampton Board of Education on Sept. 12 showcased a newly opened preschool wing at the Early Childhood Education Center and credited community partners for helping finish campus renovations on time and under budget. District leaders said the addition increased preschool capacity and improved safety and campus appearance.

Dr. Slade, who presented the Early Childhood Education Center update, said, "We now have 11 preschool classrooms at the ECEC and 3 preschool disabled classrooms," and commended teachers and staff for setting up the new classrooms. He also noted adjustments to drop‑off and pick‑up patterns to accommodate increased enrollment and introduced the center's therapy dog, "Tater Tot," as a resource for students.

The Buildings & Grounds committee chair described the recent construction and exterior work as completed under budget and thanked several local contractors and donors for in‑kind services. The chair said a local contractor "paved several areas of our parking lots and roadways at no charge to taxpayers" and acknowledged firms that provided concrete, fencing and landscaping to ready campuses for the school year.

Board members also described other operational improvements: expanded drop‑off capacity at the ECC (additional paved spots and an enlarged front loop), repaved tennis courts and refreshed landscaping. The superintendent said principals will attend monthly board meetings to report building‑level updates and that back‑to‑school nights will take place across the district in late September.

The board approved routine finance and personnel items later in the meeting, and members noted the work allowed the district to open on schedule for the 2024–25 school year. The public meeting concluded with reminders that parents should contact their child's school for the latest, official information.