Renovation of an educational facility in Richmond, Virginia. Conceptual plans call for the renovation of a educational facility.

https://www.vpm.org/news/2026-08-27/richmond-public-schools-facilities-budget-capacity-construction/ Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras addresses the media during a back-to-school press conference at G.H. Reid Elementary on Aug. 24, 2026. City leaders say passing a 1% sales tax could be “transformational.” The first day of school brought the usual excitement for Richmond Public School students and families. But for school leadership, it underscored the long-standing challenges of maintaining an aging school division with a limited capital improvement budget. Across the city, children are learning in buildings that range in age from decades to centuries old. In the city’s Northside, the RPS community is dealing with a delayed start due to mold found at Barack Obama Elementary, and suspected mold at both Frances McClenney and Bellevue elementaries. Meanwhile in the city’s Southside, on top of aging infrastructure, schools there are facing continued overcrowding. The problems inside Richmond schools have drawn increasing attention in the past few weeks about how the district plans to address its aging buildings. At the same time, questions are being raised about mismanagement within the facilities department, given the circumstances surrounding the former facilities department director’s termination. To support major facility expenses, the city frontloaded $9.3 million to RPS for its capital improvement plan budget for fiscal year 2026-27, though generally the city’s allotment is $2.5 million. This year, RPS is prioritizing HVAC systems, roof repairs and structural projects at several schools. (Virginia’s fiscal year runs July 1–June 30.) The district is nearing the end of an existing facilities plan, too. A new technical center on Maury Street is next on RPS’ list of construction projects, followed by the construction of a new Woodville Elementary in the East End. Yet, RPS still does not have a completed facilities master plan to take them into the next decade and provide a comprehensive roadmap for addressing school needs. Last year, Chief Operating Officer Patrick Herrel told the board three long-term plan options would be ready this fall. Speaking at a first day of school press conference, RPS Board Chair Shavonda Fernandez (9th District) emphasized that despite the challenges, students in her Southside district continue to demonstrate resilience and academic achievement. “They’ve done their part. They have demonstrated their ability to achieve,” she said. “Now it’s our responsibility to make sure their learning environment rises to meet their potential.” Trailers in the back of GH Reid G.H. Reid Principal Chantrese Rainey-Clayton said staff rely on trailers to accommodate learning at the elementary school in Southside Richmond. Keyris Manzanares/VPM News At G.H. Reid Elementary School in Southside, Principal Chantrese Rainey-Clayton said staff rely on trailers to accommodate learning for roughly 300 students. “Our students definitely deserve the facilities and infrastructure that reflect the high-quality education they receive,” Rainey-Clayton said. Reid Elementary, which houses one of the district’s dual-language programs, was initially built in 1958. A 2024 facilities assessment of Reid found that by 2029, the school’s main building will be reaching the end of its “useful or serviceable life.” The district’s capital improvement budget for fiscal year 2027–28 includes approximately $435,000 for repairs at Reid ranging from electrical to fire safety and plumbing. Construction of a bus loop is also ongoing, which was included in a previous fiscal budget. Standing beside Superintendent Jason Kamras and Mayor Danny Avula, Rainey-Clayton called attention to how staff and students continue to make strides despite the structure issues. “We’re proud to offer a very rigorous education, including our dual-language immersion program, where our students learn both English and Spanish,” Rainey-Clayton said. “Our teachers work extremely hard, and that’s reflected in our data, most notable our K-2 literacy — we had a 10-point gain.” When it comes to overcrowding, Kamras said the scope of the problem will only be exacerbated by new development. “We try as best as we can to anticipate where there will be even more students, but this is the part of the city where we see the most growth, the most overcrowded.” To address overcrowding and other RPS facilities issues, Kamras said they are kicking an engagement process as the district works to draft a new facilities plan. They plan to hold nine engagement community meetings — one for each district. At these meetings Kamras said they will engage the community on these topics: “The nature of our buildings, how old they are, what their condition is, what the enrollment is.” This information will then be brought back to the school board, who’s in charge of adopting a prioritization plan by the end of the calendar year. The first engagement session will be held at Thomas Jefferson High School on Sept. 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. After hearing about the school’s progress in core subject areas, Avula said he would be remiss if he didn’t ask Richmonders to support a 1% sales tax ballot referendum this fall. “Incredible to hear the progress that the school has made. I think it’s another reminder that investment works,” Avula said. “Wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t remind folks about the opportunity to make a transformational change here at G.H. Reid and at schools all over the district.” ------------------------------------- This project is an update of the existing Charles M. Johnson Elementary School, originally constructed in 1966 and a portion of the school was renovated in 2011. This renovation will address the previously unrenovated buildings by updating building systems, including HVAC, electrical and plumbing, window and door replacements, new interior finishes and improvements to vehicular circulation and parking. Project is included in Henrico County Fiscal Year 2026-2030. As of February 12, 2026, final development plan approved. Project manager/engineer identified. *Project information has been obtained through a public capital improvement plan (CIP). A CIP is a financial schedule for short- and long-range projects which is updated regularly. Information listed in the CIP often evolves based on funding availability and the project details, including timeline and value, are subject to change. The content management team will continue to pursue additional details as they become available.