Members of RVA's City Council and School Board are holding a special meeting to discuss the board's attempts to take over school construction.

Councilwoman Lynch says she's asking RPS to prove George Wythe won't be delayed or she'll ask the Mayor to undo the board's resolution.

Superintendent Jason Kamras is reiterating the city's claim that construction of George Wythe will be delayed into 2027 under school board supervision.

Kamras and Councilwoman Lynch both say they recognize it is no board member's intention to purposely delay George Wythe.

It seems the only RPS representatives speaking (the only ones on screen) are the superintendent and RPS Chairwoman Cheryl Burke -- both are opponents of the resolution.

Kenya Gibson, the patron of the Schools Building Schools resolution, is not in attendance.

Burke and Lynch spoke at a pretty high-energy press conference Monday, where everyone was in opposition to the school board taking over construction. The mayor also attended.

A clip from the presser and an article with more info in the thread below: https://twitter.com/ardzes/status/1384253913109458954?s=20

The meeting is wrapping up now. We were told Monday the purpose of the meeting was for the school board to explain how they can deliver GWHS by 2023.

None of the 5 members of the school board that supported the resolution were present to make their case.

Lynch and Burke say the city believes GWHS would be delayed in part because the transfer of construction power to the school board requires VDOE approval -- "a 6 to 9 month process," Lynch said. This would include VDOE approval for hiring RPS procurement and construction staff.

Meeting is still going. RPS Chief of Staff Michelle Hudacsko is now speaking. She says it's not uncommon for Virginia school districts to handle construction, and there shouldn't be legal barrier to moving forward. Adds it would be "massive task" for RPS to take over.

In closing remarks, Burke again expresses disappointment over school board's resolution, and echoes city wording that RPS should focus on "books, not bricks." She calls on board members to continue collaboration with city admin.

"I'm not going to give up," Burke says.

Councilwoman Katherine Jordan asks how to reconcile this effort by the board to take over construction with the fact that RPS budget has already been approved, and it didn't include construction funds.

"This feels personal," she adds. Board Chairwoman Burke nods in agreement.

Richmond City Attorney Haskell Brown now speaking:

"The law in Virginia is school boards are very independent. They have pretty much absolute control over school properties..."

Continued: "It's pretty settled around the state that a local governing body like the City Council or the City itself cannot take control over a school division's construction program around that school... The SB does in fact have the power to construct and design schools."

City Councilwoman Ellen Robertson seems willing to work with school board: "The board has voted that they want to move forward with construction, and according to our city attorney, we have no say in that."

She says her priority is to make clear how this change in policy will impact tax collection. She also wants clear plan from school board on how move forward in transfering construction power, and wants to know if the board will need funding from the council.

School Board Chairwoman Cheryl Burke says all 9 members of the board were invited to this meeting.

Kenya Gibson, who proposed schools take over construction, says she was not invited. Email exchange below seems to confirm. She says she couldn't attend due to timing conflict.

In closing, Councilwoman Lynch reiterates her priority is not delaying a new GWHS, says process of transferring construction power to schools has not had enough input from the public:

"Our George Wythe community has been put on hold once, will not be put on hold again."

Meeting just finished. Councilwoman Robertson says the City Council will send a letter to the School Board in coming days regarding how to move forward.

Council and board members present said further discussions on construction will likely be had at Education Compact meetings.