In 2022, the Ralph Bunche Alumni Association (RBAA) entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the King George County Board of Supervisors to raise $250,000 — by the end of this year — to help fund a renovation project that would turn the county’s former Black high school during segregation into a vibrant community center.
The association raised $140,000 since entering that MOU, and at Wednesday’s board of supervisors meeting, requested an extension of the agreement through the end of 2029.
RBAA President Claudette Jordon and Vice President Renee Parker provided an update on the project to the supervisors, noting that there is still plenty of work to be done for the project to become a reality.
Jordon said the extension of the MOU will allow the association more time to raise funds for the project; she also noted that 2029 will coincide with the 80th anniversary of the opening of the school.
“Our intent is to remain relentless and continue the hard work to raise funds through grants, events and donations, so that ultimately the citizens of King George and the visitors to King George will enjoy all that the renovated Ralph Bunche will offer,” Jordon said.
RBAA is partnering with the Visualize and Rize Foundation, a non-profit that was started by King George native and former NFL offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod.
The partnership helped the county secure a $500,000 grant through the National Park Service African American Civil Rights Grant Program to replace the roof of the former school, which sits on 23.8 acres off U.S. Route 301.
RBAA representatives advised that if a portion of the school — the lobby and gymnasium — open to the public in the first phase, the project would attract additional grants.
Parker also said it helps that the project is listed on the county’s Capital Improvement Plan.
“One of the first things they look for when you’re applying for grants is what kind of backing from the county [the project has],” Parker said. “If it’s not on the CIP, it’s no need to go any further.”
Shannon Tolliver, executive director of Visualize and Rize, spoke to the board about some of the programs the facility will offer once renovation is complete.
She mentioned a technology center, a flex space for after-school activities, a kitchen to demonstrate healthy eating practices for youth and adults, a conference room, and a podcast room. The RBAA also aims to include a museum, event venue and workforce development training at the facility.
There is significant work that needs to be done, however. The project is estimated to cost $8 to $10 million and that cost analysis was completed in 2022. The RBAA views the dated cost information as well as the presence of mold and hazardous materials, drainage failure causing erosion and infiltration, and limited grant opportunities because no part of the building is open as significant challenges.
In addition to getting the board to agree to the extended MOU, next steps include detailed structural and environmental studies, refined cost estimates, an evaluation of short and long-term strategies and defining the scope of repairs vs. replacement options.
In other business Wednesday, the supervisors discussed a potential 10-cent increase to the real estate tax rate. The board previously voted to advertise a rate of 68 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is a 12-cent increase from the equalized rate. County Administrator Matthew Smolnik presented a balanced budget that would require a rate of 66 cents per $100 of assessed value, but the board did not take any action.
The board will conduct a public hearing on tax rates on May 5. There will be a public hearing on the proposed $143.9 million budget on May 18 with decisions to approve the budget and tax rates scheduled for June 2.
Prior to the discussion on the budget, the supervisors voted 3-1 to increase the county’s meals tax from 4% to 6%. Supervisor Cathy Binder of the Shiloh District cast the lone dissenting vote. Dahlgren District Supervisor William Davis abstained from the vote since he owns a restaurant in the county.
The supervisors who voted in favor of the increase said the idea is to generate revenue from people passing through the county on the way to Maryland and from Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division employees, who don’t live in the county.
“It increases our revenue from those people that we would otherwise be losing out on,” James Madison District Supervisor Ken Stroud said.
