The Patrick County School Board approved using funds it receives from the cell tower at Patrick County High School (PCHS) to help further local education.
Schools Superintendent Jason Wood said Milestone Towers, a Virginia-based telecommunication provider, recently completed all the necessary permits, and the school system deposited the $25,000 lease agreement.
“We’re thankful for that revenue and that is for the board’s determination on how we want to utilize that fund. It is not earmarked for any project in our budget yet, it was additional revenue,” he said at the board’s meeting on February 13.
The company that’s leasing the tower will begin paying its lease on March 1, and a second cellphone carrier is also interested in conversations with Milestone about using the cell tower, Wood said.
“They’re just in negotiations right now with the second carrier to see if this is a good prime location, but Milestone said it was very promising, in that the carrier reached out to them. It’s not like they were doing cold calls and asking someone here’s a tower with lease space, so the second carrier is interested because they must know there’s a need here,” Wood said.
In addition to the initial lease agreement of $25,000, the school division will receive $1,000 per month from each carrier. If a second carrier comes on there will be a one-time lease agreement of $5,000.
Discussions Wood has had with board members indicate the board wants the funds used in the best way possible to impact local students.
In a motion made by Walter Scott, of the Smith River District, the board approved contributing $25,000 from the cell tower to the Patrick County Promise, and any funds from the monthly lease not used for current students dual-enrolled at Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) also be sent to the Promise in June of each fiscal year.
Started by the Patrick County Education Foundation, the Patrick County Promise is aimed at increasing the post-high school credential attainment rates and the economic attractiveness and workforce development potential of the Patrick County region and decreasing population migration from Patrick County.
As of early December, about $160,000 had been raised for the Promise, which was about $110,000 shy of being able to launch for its first three years.
“Right time or wrong time, I’d like to challenge the Patrick County Board of Supervisors to do the same when they get the opportunity,” Scott said.
Supervisor member Steve Marshall, who attended the meeting, said he agreed with Scott.
“I’ve been arguing that and put it out there I think three or four times already,” Marshall, who represents the Blue Ridge District, said.
Rob Martin, of the Dan River District, said he first heard of the Promise last year.
“I think that’s excellent for our kids that want to extend their education beyond our doors to Patrick & Henry Community College,” he said.
In other matters, the board:
*Approved the consent agenda.
*Heard the superintendent’s report.
*Heard an update on the 2024-2025 school board budget.
*Heard a presentation on student academic growth in the division.
*Presented certificates to board members for School Board Appreciation Month.
*Presented a certificate to board clerk Sarah Leigh Collins for School Board Clerk Appreciation Month.
*Approved the personnel report as amended.
Vice-chair Shannon Harrell, of the Blue Ridge District, did not attend the meeting.
