CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville City Schools has received word from the U.S. Department of Education reversing its course and awarding the surplus Federal Executive Institute property to the University of Virginia. CCPS has sent out notice to their community that the feds have “reneged” on their April 29 commitment for city schools to receive the property at no charge.
The CCPS notification sent through ParentSquare says:
(The USDOE) says that “the University best meets the Secretary’s priorities for property reuse.” Please see below the letter we received for their full explanation. (Attached is a PDF containing today’s letter as well as the original letter we received on April 29 notifying us that they recommended the FEI property be given to Charlottesville City Schools).
City Manager Sam Sanders and Schools Superintendent Dr. Royal Gurley had a joint press conference how the city would house pre-K programs at this campus instead of having to spread out over six locations. They were also planning alternative education programs and some central office spaces for the facility, all at considerable cost savings.
Here is a statement from Dr. Gurley and Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders: “Our community viewed Charlottesville City Schools’ acquisition of the Federal Executive Institute as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance learning for not only our youngest learners but also our most vulnerable students. The rescinding of this opportunity is an enormous setback to our City and to our students.”
The fed letter to CCPS is below: