Community members peppered Lynchburg City Schools Superintendent Paul McKendrick with tough questions Monday night.
He was in the hot seat as he fielded dozens of questions during a community meeting about the division’s proposal to move its middle school alternative education programs to the Fort Hill School.
For more than an hour, McKendrick met with area residents where he ultimately satisfied inquiries and received a mostly favorable response to the proposal.
The Fort Hill School, owned by the city and currently vacant, is a block off Fort Avenue on Liggates Road in a densely residential area.
While the plan to move the Middle School Learning Center, the Homebound Learning Center and Pride eighth-grade students to the Fort Hill School was met with approval in the end, it wasn’t without pointed questions.
The first participant to comment, resident Steve Troxel, immediately asked about cost. Troxel said if it’s going to cost the schools money, he couldn’t support it.
“I’m still ticked about my property taxes going up,” he said, later adding, “If we’re going to be saving money in five years, I’ll listen to this.”
McKendrick said the project is expected to cost about $500,000 and will save money over the long-term. It will be funded with federal stimulus money. Officials said the building will need significant work to be usable. It requires asbestos removal, heating and air conditioning replacement, roof replacement, and plumbing and electrical work.
Troxel was one of about 30 community members, along with a handful of city and schools officials, who attended the meeting at the school.
After taking questions, McKendrick had one of his own.
“I’m going to ask a question I’m hesitant to ask,” he said before asking residents if they approved.
Most did, including Troxel who said he could support the project if it can be done with available funds.
Because the city owns the vacant building, a final decision is up to City Council. School administration is scheduled to present its proposal to council on May 26.
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