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Competing firms propose public-private partnerships for new schools that Stafford officials hope will save millions of dollars. Date published: 5/8/2003
Two firms that want to design, build and finance Stafford's next three schools presented plans last night they say will save money while providing education and recreation for county residents. Both groups--Stafford School Development Corp. and Haskell/Hess P3 Schools Joint Venture-- presented their plans to the School Board and the Board of Supervisors during a joint meeting at Colonial Forge High School. The two boards are looking to public-private partnerships to build a high school in 2005 and an elementary school in 2004 on the 150-acre Armstrong property off Mountain View Road and another elementary school in 2005 in southern Stafford's Leeland Station subdivision. Under such a partnership, a company or partnership of companies oversees financing, design and building of schools and any other related facilities on school land. Traditionally, school systems oversee design and construction, and seek financing through bonds issued by the Virginia Public School Authority. School systems can save money when private companies lease any land that isn't needed by schools to other organizations. Stafford School Development Corp. went first last night. The corporation consists of general contractor W.C. English Construction of Lynchburg, Moseley Architects and KBS Construction. English has worked on several public-private road projects. Moseley and KBS have worked on several Fredericksburg-area schools. The corporation emphasized its connection to Stafford. It packed the house with construction workers and others who live or work in the county. The firm proposes a 30,000- square-foot higher-education wing that would be attached to the 1,800-student high school. It is partnering with Germanna Community College, Mary Washington College's James Monroe Center and Old Dominion University. The colleges are interested in holding classes at the site, said Doug Dalton, president of English Construction. The proposal calls for initially offering night classes at the high school, and building the higher-education wing later. This would give college officials more time to gauge public interest and need for college classes. The colleges would lease the classroom space, saving Stafford schools money.
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