EDITORIAL: Repurposing Battlefield H.S. Design Saves Money at what Cost?

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The Prince William County School Board recently voted to utilize the existing design that was used to construct Battlefield and Freedom High Schools for the proposed 13th high school.

While this decision has been touted by some as the most fiscally responsible decision the School Board has made in recent memory, it may not be the best decision for posterity, or even the students of 2019, who will receive a brand new school that was dated as of 2010 and lacks natural light.

Bristow Beat is not suggesting the School Board ignore price altogether and approve the design that will cost $15-18 million more, only that they investigate the matter further. As the two-story design for the new middle school on the western end will be both more modern, functional and of a comparable price to older models, we suggest PWCS find a similar solution for the 13th high school.

Citing savings of $15-18 million, Board members voted to repurpose an existing prototype rather than construct a school in the style of Patriot High School, despite the fact that the Gainesville School Board representative, Alyson Satterwhite cited the additional educational benefits over the Battlefield/Freedom design.

Associate Superintendent Finance and Support Services David Cline was even wary of locking down a specific dollar amount for the construction of either prototype as he explained that modifications would have to be made to both designs.

The award-winning Patriot prototype was designed to consider the modern student, with larger classrooms and a configuration that allows significantly more natural daylight to the various learning environments.

Danish educational architect Ulla Kjærvang cites research, which reveals that students with plenty of daylight learn 21 percent more than students with less daylight.

Schools with an aesthetic quality will give the pupils an aesthetic awareness, which will make them appreciate quality in their physical surroundings in the future. Therefore, the architecture of the school can contribute to an aesthetic development of the children. Buildings of high quality also signal to the pupils that the school or the educational institution is an important place. That society regards the school or educational institution as important. And hereby signal to the pupils and the students that they are important.

This is not a theoretical argument. When students and teachers are provided with second-rate facilities, they feel like second-rate citizens. Walk around the University of Virginia and tell me the architectural doesn’t inspire you, doesn’t call you towards a higher purpose as Thomas Jefferson hoped it would?

Next, try feeling the same way in one of PWCS older bunker like buildings, such as Stonewall Jackson/Osborn Park model or Woodbridge/Gar-field model. At best, students may feel inspired to rise above their situation and one day get accepted to a university with a more pleasing campus. Teachers might feel similarly.

As Woodbridge School Board representative Loree Williams said, these schools are meant to last for 75 years. Hopefully, by then, all the bunkers will be replaced and students will only be learning in more appropriate environments, but that will decide on the decisions our community leaders make today.

Teachers and students throughout the county today bemoan their bunker-like school buildings, archaic structures that hardly facilitate student-friendly learning environments. In an age where almost everything about public schools is criticized, here’s an opportunity to create a truly positive space.

Granted, the Freedom/Battlefield design does not leave students in the dark all day long, but that is hardly the measure of a superior building. The workspace should firstly be conducive to work, and secondly have a calming effect on the student. It is necessary for those student who will be inspired by their surroundings as well as those who suffer from depression, anxiety, claustrophobia, ADHD, a number of other ailments, or simply lack of sleep because the school day begins before 7:30 a.m.

Citing the viability of the School Division’s capital improvement plan, Brentsville District representative Gil Trenum joined the ranks of the other fiscally conservative Board members and voted for the Battlefield/Freedom design.

Despite a clear mandate from residents of the Brentsville District, where the new school will locate, (in a recent Bristow Beat survey, 73 percent of residents polled chose the Patriot prototype), the Board chose perceived-cost savings over the educational benefits of the Patriot design. We implore the School Board to heed the residents and consider best practice for students.

Perhaps, there is no solution that is both cost-effective and meets the needs of tomorrow’s students, but we’ll never know if we don’t take the time to investigate.

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