Richmond schools show gains as leaders push for new construction

RICHMOND, Va. — Students at G.H. Reid Elementary are starting the new school year with strong academic gains, but school leaders say the nearly 70-year-old building is struggling to keep up with enrollment.

At a first day of school press conference Monday morning, Principal Chantrese Rainey-Clayton said the school saw a 10-point increase in K-2 literacy, an eight-point increase in math SOL scores, a 13-point increase in science and said much of those gains are in classes where students learn in both English and Spanish.

But she said the school is also dealing with limited classroom space. Trailers behind the school are being used as classrooms, with nearly 300 students learning in those additional spaces.

“Our students definitely deserve the facilities and infrastructure that reflect the high quality education they receive. But we're super excited about the year ahead,” Rainey-Clayton said.

RPS Board Chair Shavonda Fernandez, who represents the Ninth District, said overcrowding is a growing issue across parts of South Richmond, with trailers also being used at other schools.

“Here at G.H. Reid alone, they can't even have things like award ceremonies within the building. We have to partner with other locations such as Liberation Church because we just don't have the space,” Fernandez said.

RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras said the academic progress at Reid shows what can happen when the district invests in curriculum, teachers and other resources.

He also pointed to the school as an example of why RPS is asking Richmond voters to approve a proposed 1% sales tax increase in November to help fund new school construction and renovations.

“Imagine what they could do with a beautiful school just like [Richmond High School for the Arts] down the street,” Kamras said.

RPS construction project manager Kim Wilson said the brand-new RHSA on the Southside is an example of what is possible when funding is available for construction.

At a school tour, Wilson said many RPS buildings were constructed around the same time and are experiencing similar problems, making a long-term investment necessary.

“We can't continue putting band-aids on things. So that money will help provide a permanent solution to this,” Wilson said.

Kamras said it could take roughly $1 billion to address needs across all RPS schools.

The proposed 1% sales tax increase could generate an estimated $40 million to $50 million a year for school construction and renovations.

To help offset the tax burden, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula has proposed reducing the city's 7.5% meals tax by one percentage point and lowering the local real estate tax rate from $1.20 to $1.19 per $100 of assessed value if voters approve the sales tax increase.

Christopher Melton and Daja McAllister, who dropped off their second grader Zyir, said they supported the plan to raise more funds.

“I went to G.H. Reid. I went to a lot of RPS schools so I understand how a lot of the schools are older and rundown. I definitely think funding will help get the schools back where they need to be,” Melton said.

Tanya Brown, grandmother to a Reid third grader, said all schools need some type of upgrade.

Kamras said RPS will begin a series of community meetings in the fall to gather input on which schools should be prioritized if the tax passes.

The district plans to bring that information back to the School Board, with a goal of adopting a priority list by the end of the year.

RPS said overcrowding is particularly pronounced on the Southside, where continued development is expected to bring more students.

Reid also has a dual-language immersion program, where students learn in both English and Spanish. RPS said it hopes to expand the program to more schools as community interest grows.

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