Supervisors asked for comparison

Informal survey results

The Smithfield Times conducted an informal online survey with the question, “Should Isle of Wight County renovate or replace the nearly 60-year old Hardy Elementary School,” with three possible responses: renovate, replace or do nothing. 

Of those who responded, nearly 80 percent wanted the building replaced, while nearly 20 percent wanted it renovated. 

By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

A report on the condition of Hardy Elementary School is scheduled for presentation Thursday to the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors.

The evaluation is expected to aid in the decision on whether the Board wants to proceed with renovating the nearly 60-year-old school or replace it entirely. 

Alpha Corporation completed the evaluation, according to a staff report, but no other information was provided in the Board’s agenda packet for June 20.{mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

The Isle of Wight County School Board had approved plans to renovate the building, but the supervisors questioned those plans after a tour of the aging building. 

Areas of concern include the plumbing and septic system, lack of a sprinkler system because the school is on a well rather than a municipal water supply and a too small gymnasium, among other concerns. 

The supervisors are also leery of adding onto the school over the existing septic drain fields, the strategy outlined in plans approved by the School Board. 

Plans approved by the School Board include adding five new classrooms, a new and larger gymnasium, a larger cafeteria, converting the current gym into a S.T.E.M./Maker Space area at an estimated cost of $14.4 million. 

The cost of building a new Hardy Elementary School has not been determined as the Board has to decide whether to remain on the current site or build it elsewhere.  

A former Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors ordered a similar evaluation when deciding if it should renovate the former Windsor Middle School or build a new building. The Board chose the latter, now Georgie D. Tyler Middle School.  {/mprestriction}