Dear Editor,
As Charlottesville City Schools has now submitted a bid for the Federal Executive Institute property, we, the co-chairs of Livable Cville, urge the members of the Board of Visitors to vote against Tuesday’s BOV meeting agenda item titled “I.B. Property Acquisition of the Federal Executive Institute,” to withdraw the formal expression of interest in the property and, instead, to endorse the Charlottesville City Schools’ bid.
By withdrawing its competing bid and endorsing the Charlottesville City Schools’ bid, the University has a high-profile opportunity to strengthen its partnership with Charlottesville City Schools and to tangibly demonstrate an overall commitment towards being a good neighbor to the Charlottesville area. The City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools lack the financial resources and the flexibility that the University has in acquiring new property for educational use. Acknowledging this reality, the Board of Visitors can help realize a positive vision of the University strengthening local schools and the local community.
The Charlottesville City Schools’ bid encompasses plans to use the site for a preschool center and for school division central offices. Charlottesville City Schools has already set aside funds that can support improvements necessary to convert the FEI property to its needs. Within just a few years, hundreds of preschoolers would have the opportunity to learn at this location. It would also free up space for the city schools to expand its alternative education opportunities at the Walker School site.
Further, if the city schools purchase this property, one of the primary benefactors will be the University’s employees and their families whose children would attend this school. In other words, the University will see significant benefit by opting to not purchase this property. If the University purchased the property, Charlottesville City Schools would not have that opportunity and the city schools would continue with some of the space struggles they have had for years.
We trust the Board of Visitors can see the wisdom of supporting Charlottesville City Schools and further strengthening its commitment to the Charlottesville community.
Matthew Gillikin and Steven L. Johnson are the Co-Chairs of Livable Cville. They can be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.
The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Cavalier Daily. Columns represent the views of the authors alone.
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