I attended the Broad Run High School renovations meeting on Wednesday after learning about it though the Broad Run High School PTSO and Save Ashburn Village Schools Facebook pages. I was surprised to see posted that there were problems with the project. I follow the School Board meetings and the issue hadn't been raised publicly that I saw before this.
My main issue, besides the perception (and perhaps reality) this perpetuates that Broad Run is always last, is the lack of communication and transparency into the process. First, the whole issue seems to have been brought to the attention of the community through concerned parents instead of LCPS officials or the School Board. Second, the slides presented at the meeting didn't cover what people wanted to know. (They are here: http://c2.loudoun.schoolwires.net/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/728/LCPS%20-%20BRHS%20-%20Phasing%20-%2005%2006%2015.pptx) Those in attendance at the meeting had to ask questions to understand what is happening.
Here's what we found out: the Broad Run renovations have been delayed. The first bids that came in were $13 million over budget. As a result, LCPS has removed the auditorium renovations and the roof repair from the project at this point. Although it wasn't mentioned at the meeting, looking at the original approved project, it also appears that new Special Education and Health rooms were also removed. (The original project plan is here: http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/loudoun/Board.nsf/files/9FCK9V4E76F4/$file/BRHS%20Renovation%201-14-14.pdf) Bids are being accepted on the new proposal until May 19. LCPS is hoping to be able to complete the removed items with remaining money depending on the amount of the bids, but we were told it is not guaranteed. Further, this delays the renovations that are still included in the proposal. The field upgrades, originally expected this fall, will not be completed until Spring 2016.
Hopefully the bids come in much lower and everything will be guaranteed to be done again soon. Unfortunately, it sounded like there's nothing they can do to get the timing back on track. Maybe some people can get creative, but it seems unlikely at this point.
In any case, this is not how things should be done. If I'm elected, I guarantee you will be informed on issues you are concerned about. Further, Broad Run High's legacy will be respected.
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