Warren County School Board Unveils New E. Wilson Morrison Relocation Plan, Questions $170,150 Building Stabilization Proposal

The Warren County School Board continued its October 21, 2026, meeting after a joint budget work session with the Board of Supervisors, turning its attention to several decisions that could affect students, families, and school facilities for years to come.

At the center of the discussion was E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School, which has remained closed since August 22 because of structural safety concerns.

Superintendent Dr. Troy Wright presented a revised temporary relocation proposal, known as Plan B, that would bring E. Wilson Morrison students back together under one roof while moving eighth graders from both county middle schools into their respective high schools.

Later, the board debated a $170,150 construction proposal intended to stabilize portions of the closed elementary school so teachers and staff could safely retrieve educational materials and personal belongings.

Several members questioned whether the work was necessary, whether it should be put out for competitive bids, and whether the school division should commit that amount before receiving a comprehensive structural evaluation.

The board did not approve the stabilization contract that evening. Instead, members requested additional information about whether a smaller project could provide safe access to the building.

The meeting also included a report from the school resource officer, approval of school policies, recognition of Warren County Fire and Rescue, and discussion of a new School Board governance handbook.

Plan B Would Bring E. Wilson Morrison Students Back Together

Wright explained that the revised relocation proposal responded to concerns parents, teachers, and community members raised about an earlier plan.

One of the strongest messages from that feedback was that E. Wilson Morrison students and staff wanted to remain together.

“We wanted to see E. Wilson together,” Wright said. “That was very clear. We want to be together.”

Since the emergency closure, E. Wilson Morrison students have been attending classes in other school buildings. The arrangement has allowed instruction to continue, but Wright acknowledged the challenges of operating a school across multiple locations.

“They’re currently spread out, and it’s definitely taxing, and it’s taking a toll,” he said.

The revised plan attempts to solve that problem while avoiding widespread changes to school attendance boundaries.

Under Plan B, eighth-grade students currently attending Skyline Middle School would move to Skyline High School.

Eighth graders attending Warren County Middle School would move to Warren County High School.

Both middle schools would then serve sixth- and seventh-graders.

The space created at Skyline Middle School would allow E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School to operate on the building’s upper floor alongside Skyline Middle School.

Wright said the arrangement would preserve the elementary school’s identity while keeping students within the Skyline attendance area.

“E. Wilson will be completely separate on the top floor, and then the other students, the sixth and seventh graders, will be downstairs,” he explained.

The schools would operate on separate schedules and lunch arrangements, reducing interaction between elementary and middle school students during normal instruction.

Wright acknowledged that combining students of different ages within one building can create challenges, especially during class changes.

But he believes having separate floors and schedules would make the arrangement manageable.

One key advantage is that E. Wilson Morrison teachers and staff could stay with their students.

“We’re back under one roof,” Wright said. “We’re not changing attendance zones. We do not have to reduce staff in any way with this plan.”

Eighth Graders Would Attend Their Future High Schools

Moving eighth graders to the high schools is a major component of the proposed relocation.

Wright explained that the county’s two high schools have more available space than many of its elementary schools.

School enrollment has declined substantially since 2020, but the division still operates the same general network of school facilities.

That has created unused capacity in some buildings while others remain near capacity.

Wright said the district has lost about 581 students since its 2020 enrollment peak.

Although moving eighth graders would be a significant change, Wright said the district has used a similar arrangement before.

He also sees possible educational benefits.

Students would become familiar with the high school they are scheduled to attend before beginning ninth grade.

They could meet teachers, learn the building, and become more comfortable with high school expectations.

Eighth graders could also take certain high school electives, including world languages, music, and performing arts, when space and course requirements allow.

Athletics would offer another opportunity.

Wright said students could potentially participate in junior varsity sports at the high school while maintaining opportunities for middle school athletics, depending on the sport.

The division has previously allowed eighth graders to participate in different athletic programs based on their interests and eligibility.

School administrators and athletic directors have been discussing how a similar arrangement could work again.

Teachers would generally move with their students, and some middle school administrators could be reassigned to support eighth graders at the high schools.

Wright explained that the students would have designated areas within the high school buildings rather than being fully dispersed throughout the schools.

At Warren County High School, administrators identified a wing previously used for eighth graders.

The arrangement would let students keep their primary classrooms together while taking certain other high school courses.

Wright said the move would include both middle schools to ensure students receive similar opportunities.

“We are moving both eighth graders just to keep it balanced with the high school so that both eighth-grade groups are getting the same opportunities at the high school,” he explained.

Why Skyline Middle School Was Selected

Board members asked why E. Wilson Morrison would move to Skyline Middle School rather than Warren County Middle School, which would also have considerable space after eighth graders relocate.

Wright explained that geography and transportation were important considerations.

E. Wilson Morrison is within the Skyline attendance area, making Skyline Middle School the more practical location for families.

Moving elementary students to Warren County Middle School would require traveling outside their normal attendance zone and could complicate things for families with children attending different schools.

Wright said the additional space at Warren County Middle School could eventually support other educational programs.

He mentioned preschool and other specialized programs as possibilities, although no decisions have been made.

Board members also discussed whether additional career and technical education programs could eventually operate in available classrooms at the middle schools or high schools.

Some career training programs require specialized facilities for automotive work, welding, and other hands-on instruction.

Others, including certain engineering, criminal justice, and science courses, might be able to operate in traditional classrooms.

That possibility tied back to earlier concerns about the large number of students unable to enroll in programs at the Blue Ridge Technical Center.

Wright acknowledged that moving some courses to other buildings might create opportunities, but finding qualified instructors remains a challenge.

In some cases, offering the same program at two high schools would require hiring additional teachers.

Board members also discussed the longer-term possibility of developing specialized high schools focused on particular career paths.

Wright said other school divisions have successfully established schools concentrating on technical education, performing arts, science, or other academic specialties.

However, those ideas were exploratory and not part of the immediate E. Wilson Morrison relocation proposal.

Other Temporary Locations Considered Less Practical

During the discussion, board members asked Wright to explain why the board was not pursuing other locations suggested by community members.

Those included the former RMA middle school, the 15th Street school building, and the former hospital.

Wright said the school division already has available classroom capacity in buildings it owns and operates.

Using those facilities would avoid many expenses associated with preparing a different building for student occupancy.

“In our current buildings, we have capacity, and I think it’s advantageous for us to use our own buildings that we already have a cafeteria in, that we already have systems in place, they’re already set up for students,” he explained.

Moving students to an outside facility could require additional construction, modifications, food service arrangements, and possibly rental payments.

It could also require coordinating school schedules with another organization.

Wright said the district would retain greater control over its operations by keeping students within existing school buildings.

The board also discussed rezoning elementary attendance areas or moving fifth graders into middle schools.

Wright said the board could eventually consider a broader rezoning plan, but it would affect many more families and likely represent a permanent change.

He emphasized that making such changes while the district is still evaluating E. Wilson Morrison would create additional uncertainty.

The superintendent said the immediate goal should be to minimize disruption until the board decides the future of the closed elementary school.

Plan B Is Temporary, and Public Feedback Will Be Requested

Wright stressed that Plan B should not be confused with a permanent decision about E. Wilson Morrison.

The school division is still pursuing a detailed structural investigation to determine what caused the building problems and what repairs might be necessary.

That evaluation will help the board decide whether it can repair and reopen the elementary school or needs another long-term solution.

Wright said having E. Wilson Morrison students together in one location would let the district keep operating while it makes those decisions.

“Plan B is not a long-term solution either, but it is, I think, a pretty good and sound solution that meets a lot of the feedback and a lot of the goals that we’re trying to do,” he said.

The superintendent also acknowledged that housing one school inside another is not ideal.

The district would need to work out administrative arrangements, parent access, classroom assignments, and other operational details.

But he believes the proposal would be less disruptive than other alternatives.

Wright said families, staff, and community members would have another opportunity to provide feedback before the district makes a final decision.

The district planned to distribute information about Plan B through its parent notification system, including a link for comments.

He indicated the district could distribute the information as early as Friday, October 23.

The proposal would affect families at both middle schools, both high schools, and E. Wilson Morrison.

The board did not make a final decision to implement Plan B during the work session.

Board Questions $170,150 Proposal to Stabilize E. Wilson Morrison

The most extensive discussion of the evening came when school administrators requested authorization to seek additional county funding for temporary structural stabilization at E. Wilson Morrison.

The school has been closed since August 22, and teachers have been unable to retrieve many classroom materials, educational records, personal belongings, and supplies.

Officials said structural safety concerns prevent normal access to the building.

The school division used emergency procurement procedures to obtain a proposal from LCW Construction for temporary stabilization.

The company submitted a price of $170,150 to design and install shoring for portions of the building’s interior and exterior.

The proposed work would allow teachers and staff to safely enter the school and remove essential materials.

He requested authorization for Wright to seek the $170,150 appropriation from the Board of Supervisors and, contingent upon county approval, enter into a contract with LCW Construction.

But several board members questioned whether the proposed scope of work went beyond what was needed for temporary access.

School Board member Melanie Salins argued that earlier engineering recommendations had focused on supporting the roof and that the division should not automatically proceed with exterior stabilization before receiving a full structural diagnosis.

“The first step has to be diagnosing the building,” Salins said.

She questioned whether the school division should undertake extensive exterior work without knowing whether the structure could ultimately be repaired.

“We can do the interior portion, gain access, let everybody get their stuff out, and then make decisions regarding the exterior once we have an actual diagnosis of the exterior of the building,” she said.

Salins also expressed concern about the overall price.

“$170,000 is a lot higher than anything that we had anticipated or discussed when we’ve all toured the facility,” she said.

Engineers Say Exterior Stabilization Is Needed for Safe Entry

School administrators explained that the exterior portion of the proposal addressed the potential movement or failure of the building’s brick facade.

They said the construction company’s engineer believed that stabilizing only the interior would not adequately protect people entering and leaving the building.

The concern is that movement inside the school could affect the exterior masonry, creating a risk of falling bricks.

During the discussion, Wright read a statement from correspondence explaining the contractor’s position:

“Ultimately, it’s the structural engineer’s professional opinion and recommendation that the exterior wall be braced if the building is going to be occupied. Respectfully, we would not be willing to proceed with shoring installation that varies from the engineer’s solution.”

Officials explained that the proposal would address exterior wall areas where movement had been identified.

Salins asked whether employees could use entrances on other sides of the building instead.

She said earlier discussions had identified certain entrances as unsafe, but suggested other entrances might remain available if the roof were supported.

School administrators responded that the construction company would not approve access under the reduced scope because its engineer had recommended stabilizing both the interior and exterior.

Board members also acknowledged the safety and liability questions involved in allowing employees into a building that remains closed because of structural concerns.

One member emphasized that many teachers have personal possessions and classroom materials that cannot simply be replaced.

“A lot of the items that belong to our staff are not replaceable,” the member said. “We can’t just go out and buy them.”

The discussion reflected competing concerns: retrieving important classroom materials, protecting employees, and avoiding unnecessary spending before the full extent of the building’s problems is understood.

Questions Raised About Contract Details and Potential Additional Costs

Salins continued questioning the proposal, raising concerns about the absence of a detailed breakdown showing how the $170,150 would be spent.

She said the document did not provide enough information about engineering costs, materials, labor, excavation, and other project components.

She also questioned provisions dealing with unforeseen conditions, equipment rental, hazardous materials, and potential additional charges.

Another concern involved the proposed contract type and the responsibility the school division might assume if something went wrong.

Salins argued that the proposal should receive legal review before the district agreed to its terms.

She specifically raised questions about indemnification language and whether the school division could become responsible for claims connected to the contractor’s work.

These concerns were presented as Salins’ interpretation of the proposal. The meeting did not include a final legal determination regarding the contract provisions.

She also questioned whether exterior shoring could interfere with the division’s pending insurance claim.

Officials confirmed that representatives from the division’s insurer had examined the situation.

The insurer’s engineer was awaiting additional information about the condition behind the brick facade before making further determinations.

The division has also issued a request for qualifications for a forensic structural engineering firm to investigate the building.

The investigation is intended to determine the cause of the structural problems and inform future decisions.

Salins argued that the assessment results should guide major stabilization and repair work.

“I cannot, in good conscience, put $170,000 in one lump sum payment out the window to a school that we don’t even know what’s wrong with it yet,” she said.

Other board members also questioned whether spending $170,150 solely to gain temporary access made financial sense, especially given the anticipated construction timeline.

One member suggested that the district needed a clear estimate for interior roof stabilization alone before making a final decision.

Board Requests Another Review Before Approving Work

Rather than approve the funding request, board members agreed that administrators should seek clarification from the county building official.

The central question was whether interior roof shoring, combined with restricted use of entrances on the east or west sides of the building, could provide a safe and acceptable way for teachers and staff to retrieve belongings.

Costner agreed to contact the building official and report the findings to the board.

He also indicated that administrators could seek additional information from the contractor about a revised scope of work.

Members discussed holding a special meeting, if necessary, to address the issue once the additional information becomes available.

The board also requested that future contract proposals and supporting documents be distributed well in advance of meetings so members can review the details and raise questions.

The discussion ended without approval of the $170,150 appropriation request or authorization to sign the proposed contract.

The future of E. Wilson Morrison remains unresolved, and the school division continues to seek the engineering information needed to make a long-term decision.

School Resource Officers Report 16 September Incidents

Earlier in the meeting, the School Board received an update on school resource officer activity for September 2026.

Captain Chris Powell of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Support Services reported 16 incidents during the month.

Those included one assault-related offense and two drug-related offenses at the county’s high schools.

The drug-related incidents involved suspected marijuana possession, with the substances being sent for testing.

The report did not establish the outcome of those investigations.

Powell also discussed youth outreach activities through its PALS program and related community events.

The Sheriff’s Office scheduled a Trunk or Treat event for October 27 at TGI Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., with support from the Women of the Moose.

Additional activities included a community skating event and another Trunk or Treat event on October 30.

Powell also reported that the D.A.R.E. program had begun at county elementary schools.

Board members expressed appreciation for school resource officers’ continued involvement in student safety and community outreach.

School Board Approves Visitor Policy Changes

The board also considered several policy updates.

One of the most significant was Policy KK, which addresses school visitors.

Board members, administrators, and community members revised the policy after several discussions.

School officials explained that the updated policy is intended to establish clearer procedures for parents and other visitors while maintaining student safety, privacy, and classroom instruction.

During the discussion, Board member Tom McFadden emphasized that the changes were not intended to discourage parent involvement.

“Again, I’d like to just say we welcome parents to visit the schools,” he said. “None of it’s supposed to keep anybody out.”

The updated policy provides more detailed guidance than the previous version.

School administrators said it would also let the district set consistent procedures for implementing visitor requirements across its schools.

“We feel that this policy with the proposed updates really establishes that clear avenue for parents to be meaningful participants in their child’s education while also allowing us to maintain the safety and privacy and the instructional integrity of the classroom,” she said.

The board approved the updated visitor policy.

Members also approved revisions to Policy JFHAB and Policy BBA after completing their respective reviews.

Members presented additional policies addressing conflicts of interest and purchasing procedures for further consideration.

The Virginia Department of Education recommended the conflict-of-interest revision following fiscal monitoring.

The purchasing policy revision would incorporate federally required contract provisions, including requirements involving debarment, suspension, contract termination, and equal opportunity.

Fire and Rescue Recognized for Helping E. Wilson Morrison Students

In another action, the School Board formally recognized Warren County Fire and Rescue for its assistance following the emergency closure of E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School.

The department helped school personnel address safety concerns and, when authorized, retrieve certain essential items from the closed building.

Fire and Rescue personnel also helped safely remove classroom pets and transport them to the schools where students had been relocated.

Costner explained that the assistance helped restore some normalcy for students whose routines had been abruptly disrupted.

He described the importance of keeping classroom pets safe so they could rejoin the children.

The recognition expressed appreciation for the department’s time, service, and support.

The board approved the recognition and directed that it be entered into the official record.

New Governance Handbook Under Review

The board also discussed a proposed Warren County Public Schools School Board Governance and Operating Protocol Handbook.

Members previously worked on the document during a September 30 session.

The handbook is intended to guide board responsibilities, procedures, committee operations, and expectations for elected members.

Board members noted that newly elected school officials often enter office without extensive training or a single reference document explaining how the board is expected to function.

The handbook would guide new members while serving as a reference for those already in office.

The board could also review and update it periodically as membership changes.

Members recognized former board members Andrea Lo and Antoinette Funk for earlier involvement in developing the idea.

The board discussed adopting the handbook at a future meeting, but it did not take final approval during this work session.

Next Steps for E. Wilson Morrison

The work session concluded with several major questions still unanswered.

The School Board must decide whether Plan B offers the best temporary arrangement for E. Wilson Morrison students and how the proposed eighth-grade moves would affect families, teachers, athletics, and school operations.

The division also needs to determine what stabilization work is necessary to allow safe access to the closed elementary building.

Before authorizing the $170,150 proposal, members want additional information about the scope of work, available alternatives, and the county building official’s safety requirements.

Meanwhile, the district’s forensic structural engineering process will continue, and the results are expected to show the extent and causes of the building’s problems.

Those findings will be central to the board’s eventual decision about repairing E. Wilson Morrison or pursuing another long-term solution.

For now, the building remains closed, students continue attending classes at temporary locations, and teachers still face restrictions on retrieving belongings and instructional materials.

Wright said the revised relocation plan was designed to reduce uncertainty while the district makes those larger decisions.

The superintendent believes reuniting students and staff in one location could allow the school to regain a more normal routine while the board works through the building’s future.

But the October 21 discussion also demonstrated how difficult those decisions have become.

What began as an emergency school closure has expanded into questions about building safety, contractor costs, insurance coverage, educational capacity, and how Warren County should use its existing school facilities.

The coming weeks will determine whether the proposed relocation plan moves forward and whether school officials can find a safe, financially acceptable way to regain access to E. Wilson Morrison.

Watch the October 21, 2026 Warren County School Board Work Session following the Joint Meeting of the Warren County School Board and Warren County Board of Supervisors