Proposed Plan Moves Preschool Classrooms at Mary Munford to Maymont

Thanks to Fan of the Fan who covered the Richmond Public Schools meeting regarding consolidating preschool classrooms from several local elementary schools, including the Near West End’s  Mary Munford, and also Cary, Clark Springs and Fox.  The proposed plan is to move all Virginia Preschool Initiative classrooms from the neighborhood schools mentioned to a larger site at Maymont Elementary School, which will also house Head Start and the Preschool Development Center Classrooms.  Fan of the Fan explains:

The point then is to cut down on rental of buildings, consolidate resources, and gain kindergarten students by opening up room in those schools with waiting lists. Dr. Brandon explained that the estimated budget savings in rent is $115,000. And, an estimated $400,000 is thought to be gained by adding students

Fan of the Fan has a more in-depth article, so make sure you hop over there if you are interested in this topic.

Here is the proposal that will be voted on June 7th:

Richmond Public Schools administration is recommending the transition of Maymont

Elementary School to a regional preschool center. The center will be a premiere preschool

learning center of excellence for students ages two through five and will foster inclusive

practices for general education and exceptional education students. This early academic, social,

and emotional intervention for preschoolers will decrease the number of students who may be

identified for special education services.

Utilizing the Maymont building as a premiere preschool center supports sound fiscal

management and accommodates increased preschool and kindergarten student enrollment.

Preschool students from Cary, Munford, Fox, Clark Springs, and Maymont will attend the center.

Preschool students from the Preschool Development Center will attend school at the Regional

Preschool Center and at Martin Luther King. This will eliminate the need for Richmond Public

Schools to pay rent for the Preschool Development Center and the Westminster church site

which currently houses one Mary Munford Virginia Preschool Initiative classroom.

Additionally, this recommendation will allow for added kindergarten classes resulting in

additional state per pupil funding.

Kindergarten through fifth grade students from Maymont will merge into Clark Springs; thus

allowing Clark Springs to operate at capacity. The enrollment at Maymont has been below 200

or at 200 for a number of years. The building’s capacity is 360. Clark Springs Elementary, also

located in the West End, is in close proximity to Maymont. The school administration is

committed to this transitioning process without a reduction in force. The Maymont staff will

move to Clark Springs to support the increased enrollment.

Richmond Public Schools administration has developed a comprehensive time line and

implementation plan to ensure an effective and efficient transition. The plan is attached for your

review.

Budget Implications:

Decrease the amount budgeted for rental / lease spaces

Increase the number of students in kindergarten thereby increasing state per pupil

allocation

Administrative Recommendation:

Recommendation #1 -The administration of Richmond Public Schools is recommending that

Maymont Elementary School become a regional preschool site for Richmond Public Schools.

Recommendation #2 – The administration of Richmond Public Schools is recommending that the

School Board convene a Public Hearing at Maymont Elementary regarding the merger into Clark

Springs.