On March 12, 2012, the Riverview Board of Directors voted to accept a recent counterproposal from the Beaufort County School Board for the lease of Shell Point Elementary with one major change – deletion of proposed “occupancy caps” for the next two years.
In the most recent lease proposal to Riverview, the Board of Education introduced a “cap” on the number of students Riverview may enroll while occupying the Shell Point facility, as well as how those students must be configured across grade levels. While the proposed “total occupancy” numbers mirror the enrollment numbers upheld by a Federal Court’s ruling in favor of Riverview, 456 students for 2012-13 and 494 for 2013-14, the Board’s desire to dictate how those students are distributed steps beyond the judge’s verdict and the District’s authority.
Riverview was delighted when approached by Superintendent Truesdale last fall with this potential partnership, and the Charter School remains hopeful that the Board of Education will accept the lease proposal without the occupancy caps. Riverview believes that the lease agreement is mutually beneficial to Riverview, Beaufort County School District, and the Beaufort community. Under current state code, Shell Point Elementary School, constructed in 1958, would be at risk of needing substantial renovations if not used as a school for two years or more. Riverview’s use of the building extends the facility’s viability for future use by BCSD while providing Riverview with a larger temporary home until it can raise the funds needed for its permanent facility.
“We’re hopeful that the Board of Education will not continue to use the lease negotiations as an attempt to impact our operational planning and enrollment.” said Mike Freeman, Riverview’s Board Chairman.
