Dear Cville Schools community–

As many of you know, starting last spring, our City and Cville Schools leaders began dreaming big about expanding educational opportunities for our students. Today, I am pleased to report an exciting potential development thanks to the leadership and collaboration of our colleagues at the University of Virginia. 

At its meeting this week, the UVA Board of Visitors will vote on a resolution to lease and eventually transfer Oak Lawn to the City of Charlottesville for the schools’ use at a nominal fee. Oak Lawn is a 5.2-acre historic property next to Charlottesville Middle School at the corner of 9th St. SW and Cherry Ave. Read the details on the Board of Visitors agenda (page 13).

Although we are in the initial stages of exploring possibilities for this site, I believe that this property would enable Cville Schools to achieve many of the benefits for students that we initially envisioned in our proposal to acquire the Federal Executive Institute this spring. That includes expansion of programs such as early childhood education, alternative learning, and career and technical education. 

I am thankful for the strong and steadfast leadership of the School Board, including Board Chair Emily Dooley, as well as the City’s leadership, particularly City Manager Sam Sanders. They have been invaluable thinking partners and visionary leaders as we have been making ambitious plans for the future of our schools.

This is an exciting possibility for our school system, and an example of how the University, the City, and the schools can collaborate to make our community better. When leaders work together to find solutions, it is our students who benefit.

We will keep you posted as this process unfolds at the Board of Visitors meeting this week and beyond.

Sincerely,

Dr. Royal A. Gurley, Jr.

Superintendent