STAFFORD — What seemed like a good idea about years ago may not seem like such a good idea anymore.
Stafford County leaders are questioning their plan to close Moncure Elementary School in North Stafford after a replacement school opens nearby next fall.
The school building at 75 Moncure Lane next to the Doc Stone shopping center sits along the highly trafficked Route 610, and, under an old agreement forged about 10 years ago between the Stafford Board of Supervisors and School Board, leaders had planned to sell the property to a private developer for commercial use.
But now the Stafford County School division finds itself lacking classroom space and is exploring the possible purchase of the old Fredericksburg Christian School located off Route 610, about three-and-a-half miles west of Moncure Elementary School.
The Stafford School Board wants to buy the 18-year-old building for $10 million to house pre-kindergarten and head-start students.
But the Board of Supervisors sees things differently, urging the School Board not to purchase the old Fredericksburg Christian School, and to leave Moncure Elementary School as is.
“My reason for not supporting this has to do with the long-term growth in Stafford County,” said Aquia District Supervisor Cindy Shelton. “When looking at the projected growth patterns in the next 10 years, the old Fredericksburg Christian School is not in a growth area, and is not where we need to be building elementary schools.”
Rock Hill Supervisor Wendy Maurer said a downturn in the commercial real estate market is the only reason she needs to support keeping Moncure in place.
“The building is fully functional and it’s going to be empty soon,” said Maurer.
Supervisors are also faced with funding the construction of the county’s sixth high school, to be located in the rural southwest area of the county, as well as a new $71 million courthouse which sits atop the supervisors’ capital improvement plan wishlist of projects vying for funding.
Garrisonville District Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer cautioned his fellow board members, warning them not to be too short-sighted on the possible sale of the land. He urged the Board to work out a new memorandum of understanding between his board and school officials that defines for how much longer the old Moncure building would be in use, in the event the property is not sold.
Supervisors will vote on the new capital improvement plan on Tuesday, June 5.
