Ghent Neighborhood League

There were 4 Alternate bids. Those by Turner the apparent low bidder were:
Alternate No. 1 [New DDC control systems]……………………………………..$ 29,000
Alternate No. 2 [Granite steps rather than concrete]……………………………………….11,000
Alternate No. 3 [Stamped concrete paving patterns]………………………………………118,000
Alternate No. 4 [Mutins in windows]………………………………………. 88,000

Spare Blair Middle School!

The Norfolk School Board is considering tearing down Blair Middle School. Your help is needed to let the city leadership know that this is not in the best interest of our children, our community or our city.

Blair, which has educated thousands of students at its present location for more than 80 years, is an integral part of the community and part of its historic character. The Ghent Neighborhood League has expressed this position to the city leaders clearly and repeatedly through letters, phone calls, e-mails and attendance at numerous city meetings held on Blair for the past three years.

The Ghent Neighborhood League has remained steadfast in its belief that a renovated Blair is the only answer to our children’s education and the well-being of our community.  The school board agreed and promised that Blair would be renovated as a first-rate educational facility.

The recently proposed abandonment of Blair is financially, functionally and politically irresponsible. Blair, with a design life measured in centuries, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places Virginia’s Landmark Register.  It can be renovated cost-effectively if the school board and the city choose to do so.

Norfolk’s leadership now appears to be toying with the idea of demolishing the school and building a new one. In the process, it has inflated the cost estimates for Blair’s renovation, leading to the false impression that it is fiscally sound to abandon any thoughts of renovation.

John Fowler, a consultant to the Norfolk School Board, told the school board on August 20, 2003, that:

• It was the school administration itself that caused the accelerated costs for Blair’s renovation by mandating that students stay on campus during the renovation period. This would require:

–          The construction of a temporary gym and temporary cafeteria

–          Moving portable buildings and, presumably, installing sewer and water connections, electrical lines, walkways, etc.

–          Working around the students during school hours

–          A large liquidated damage allowance, therefore increasing the complexity of the job

–          The political climate surrounding the Blair issue reduced the usual number of bidders

• At a total cost of nearly $30 million, the new addition structure would have a design life of only 40 or 50 years
• A temporary relocation of students would negate practically all extra expenses

Please contact: CITY

Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim
757.461.2500 ccouncil@norfolk.gov

City Councilman Barclay Winn
757.494.1400 ccouncil@norfolk.gov

City Manager Regina Williams
757.664.4242

SCHOOL BOARD

Chairman Dr. Theresa Whibley
757.623.3845 drwhib@aol.com

Vice Chair Anne G. Dodson
757.853.5583 adodson2@nps.k12.va.us

Barry C. Bishop 757.622.4553
GNC@GNC.HRCOXMAIL.com

Wilson B. Dodson III 757.627.1353
wdodson@infionline.net

Alveta V. Green 757.855.3928
walveta@aol.com

Algie T. Howell Jr. 757.461.8490
athowell2@aol.com

Marlies Landry 757.588.2028
marlieslandry@cox.net.

TO: Norfolk School Board
FROM: Ghent Neighborhood League
RE: Blair Middle School

Sent: Tue 8/19/2003

Dear Madam Chair, dear board members:

During its monthly meeting, the board of the Ghent Neighborhood League was made aware of suggestions offered elsewhere that a new Blair Middle School be built outside of Ghent and that the Blair building be conveyed to the City of Norfolk for use as an art center or similar purpose.

The board believes that the school, which has served the community at its present location for more than 80 years, is an integral part of the community and its historic character. It subsequently voted unanimously in support of keeping Blair in Ghent and operating it as a middle school.

We apologize for the informality of this note but, given the limited time between our Monday night discussion and the school board’s Wednesday morning meeting, we hope that you will understand our need to convey our thoughts to you as quickly as possible.

As we have expressed in the past, we were delighted when the school board a few years ago shared its Blair renovation plans with our community and committed itself to the school’s renovation. We look forward to working with the board step by step to ensure that this venerable school will continue to serve the community well – and it is current location – for years and decades to come.

With kind regards,

By order of the board:

Susanne Williams
First Vice President