High school renovation proposals eyed

Officials weigh revamp vs. new building;
new building could cost $100 million

The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors and Middlesex County School Board conducted a joint meeting on Nov. 19 to discuss renovating the current Middlesex High School (MHS) campus or, alternately, locating and building a new MHS campus elsewhere in the county.

School officials recommended renovating the current high school at Saluda, moving eighth grade from St. Clare Walker Middle School (SCW) to the high school, and fifth grade from Middlesex Elementary School (MES) to SCW.

Harmony Village Supervisor Reggie Williams, however, encouraged building a new high school in the Locust Hill area near SCW and MES.

Jamaica District Supervisor Wayne Jessie reminded Williams that the school board is recommending renovation. He said the county has not finished paying on the loan portion of a $3.5 million cost for the Syd Thrift Athletic Complex at MHS. “I don’t think we should walk away from all that (sports complex) when it is still relatively new to build a brand new high school,” said Jessie.

“We have been planning for a renovation. If we stop now and decide to build a new high school, it will be 10 years before it’s finished and instead of costing $100 million it will cost $200 million,” said Jessie.

Eighth and fifth grades to be moved

Middlesex County Public School Superintendent (MCPS) Dr. Tracy Seitz encouraged the board to consider renovation of MHS, which will allow the MCPS to move the eighth grade from SCW to MHS and fifth grade from MES to SCW.

She also said having the eighth grade at MHS allows eighth graders to access advanced classes, specialized labs (like science or vocational-technical facilities) and extracurricular activities typically unavailable at a separate middle school. “This can facilitate a smoother transition and early exposure to high school rigor,” said Dr. Seitz.

She also noted advantages for fifth grade to be moved from MES to SCW. “This allows fifth graders to begin benefiting from a teaming structured exploratory classes (like band, or technology education) earlier, providing a richer educational experience.”