Schools

Progress Seen On Ashburn School Sites

Two sites gain traction, questions remain on Belmont Ridge Middle conversion

Following a presentation by Loudoun County Public Schools planning staff and engineers who worked on an analysis of potential school sites in Ashburn, several members of the Loudoun Board of Supervisors said they were pleased with the information, but reserved their exact views until more questions can be answered.

Supervisors agreed to send questions to the school system rather than ask questions during Tuesday's board meeting. Supervisors also directed county staff to work closely with the school system moving forward.

"I'm happy where we are at this point," said County Chairman Scott K. York (I-At Large). "I'm very confident that we can accomplish the goal of getting the extra seats in the communities where they are needed. Everything is very doable."

Find out what's happening in Ashburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The study came as a result of a series of joint work session between the board of supervisors and the school board. After the meetings, the county board requested an examination of several options to expand capacity in Asburn, including:

  • Construction of a new elementary school near pipeline plaza on county-owned property;
  • Construction of a middle school on land adjacent to Newton-Lee Elementary School;
  • Conversion of Belmont Ridge Middle School to a high school;
  • Expansion of capacity at four high schools.

After a joint agreement between the school board and supervisors capped high school student capacity at 1,800, the high school expansions were removed from the scope.

Find out what's happening in Ashburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The findings of the study showed few roadblocks to building an elementary school on property near Farmwell Road and Ashburn Village Boulevard and most supervisors appeared unmoved by school system concerns about land acquisition delays at Newton-Lee Elementary School along Gloucester Parkway.

And while proposals to convert Belmont Ridge Middle School to a one- or two-story high school were called problematic by school staff, several supervisors were interested in pursuing more information about possible conversions.

Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run), who represents the northern part of Ashburn shared York's optimism.

"I agree with my colleagues that we do have some options on the table that we know are viable for elementary, middle and high schools," she said, acknowledging that there are certain issues remaining. She said she had questions about construction timelines and more detailed costs, particularly regarding the proposed conversion of Belmont Ridge Middle School into a high school.

"I've certainly sensed positive feedback on the Farmwell and the Newton-Lee [sites]," she said. "There are still questions being asked about the conversion aspect."

Seven supervisors offered comments supportive of the study, which the county board requested, while two did not speak.

The most likely area of contention may be the proposed Belmont Ridge conversion. While some supervisors appeared interested in pursing some sort of conversion, others were ready to discount the notion because of the great expense.

According to the study, the cost of converting Belmont Ridge ranges from nearly $77 million to more than $91 million. The typical cost to construct a new high school today comes to nearly $83 million, according to figures provided in the study, while a replacement middle school would cost nearly $48 million. Those figures do not include land acquisition costs.

"This option that we've seen out in the open, it costs more than the cost to build a new high school and you have to replace the middle school," said Supervisor Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge). Figures aobut middle school

But other supervisors wanted more information about the proposed one- and two-story design, while Supervisor Andrea McGimsey (D-Potomac) asked about other options.

"Have you considered three-story high schools?" she asked a silent school staff. "You don't have to answer me now."

She also questioned the number of parking spaces needed to accommodate students who drive to school.

Vice Chairman Susan Klimek Buckley said the costs and challenges might be excessive, but that the county is in desperate straits.

"From a business as usual perspective, we would stop here and say there are too many obstacles to avoid, but we are not in a business as usual position," she said,

Attempts to mend the years long rift between the school board and county board resulted in a series of joint work sessions last year.

While comments from supervisors and school board members were reserved following the presentations, continued disagreements were apparent. York challenged a school staff assertion that the process to acquire a parcel of land necessary for the middle school at Newton-Lee would take two years, clarifying the process takes as little as six months and as much as two years.


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