Equity in Action Project Update — February 2023


On February 7, an update was given to the School Board about the Equity in Action project, which will create a new Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC) adjacent to William Fleming High School, centralize school system administration, and establish a Center for Community Empowerment and Education. During the presentation, an updated timeline for the project was shared.

We are excited students enrolled at the new ROTEC will begin classes in fall 2023 as planned. Due to inflation, global supply chain shortages, and labor shortages, the project timeline for the physical opening of buildings has been delayed. The new timeline is:

• August 2023: Classes begin for at alternate locations for students enrolled in the new ROTEC adjacent to William Fleming High School
• January 2024: The new ROTEC adjacent to William Fleming will open
• Fall 2024: The new Central Administration on Campbell Avenue will open
• Summer 2025: The Center for Community Empowerment and Education will open

Watch the recorded livestream of the School Board Special Meeting and Workshop, which includes the Equity in Action presentation, for full details, or see the information below for a summary.

Families with additional questions may also email [email protected] or call ROTEC at (540) 853-2803.

Q: My student signed up for classes at the new ROTEC adjacent to William Fleming High School. Will they still be able to take these classes?

A: Yes! Students will still take the class(es) they registered for. CTE classes at the new ROTEC will temporarily be held in an alternate location until the new ROTEC opens in January 2024. The alternate locations are William Fleming High School, Lucy Addison Middle School, and the existing ROTEC adjacent to Patrick Henry High School.

Q: What classes will be temporarily held at William Fleming High School?

A: Classes that are currently held at William Fleming High School during the 2022-2023 school year will temporarily remain at William Fleming. These classes are:

• Marketing
• Engineering
• Business Information Technology
• Health and Medical Sciences

EMT will continue at Roanoke City Fire-EMS.

Q: What classes will be temporarily held at Lucy Addison Middle School?

  A: Classes held at Addison will be:

• Barbering
• HVAC
• Criminal Justice
• Coding and Cybersecurity
• Landscaping 
• Sports Medicine

Q: What classes will be temporarily held at the existing ROTEC adjacent to Patrick Henry High School?

A: Because teachers for the new ROTEC adjacent to William Fleming have been hired, we are temporarily able to alternate classroom and lab times at the existing ROTEC adjacent to Patrick Henry High School. These classes are:

• Teachers for Tomorrow
• Carpentry/Construction 
• Automotive
• Welding
• CNA
• Culinary Arts
• Cosmetology
• TV/Video Production

Q: Why will some classes be held at Lucy Addison?

A: Lucy Addison currently has space that can provide a temporary CTE wing. This classroom space is separate from the rest of the middle school, so middle and high school students will not interact with each other. It also has separate entrances for visitors and students/staff, direct access to the bus loop and parking area, and a separate courtyard area.

This is also a good location because it is close to both high schools, so students will be able to quickly travel by school bus.

Q: My student attends middle school at Lucy Addison. Will they be affected?

A: Lucy Addison students will not be impacted by this change. The classroom wing for CTE classes is separate from the rest of the building, so middle and high school students will not interact. As part of the Landscaping class, high school students will practice what they learn and beautify the courtyard, so this will be a positive benefit!

In addition, once the new ROTEC opens, the classroom wing will be repurposed for use by Addison students. The space is currently occupied by a simulation space shuttle that was installed in the 1990s when Lucy Addison was a magnet school. The unused space shuttle will now be removed from the wing, opening up new possibilities.

Q: My student will be taking classes at the new ROTEC. How can I learn more?

A: Once class registration closes at the end of February, you will receive more information. Additionally, we will be hosting a meeting on March 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the William Fleming High School Auditorium for students and families so we can address all questions. There will also be an open house for high school students at Lucy Addison on August 7 so your family can visit and learn more about the temporary CTE wing.

Families may also email [email protected] or call (540) 853-2803 with questions.

Q: My middle school student attends Lucy Addison. How can I learn more?

A: Lucy Addison Principal Jonathan Rosser sent a robocall to all Addison families on Wednesday, February 8 with additional information. We also held a meeting on March 6 at Lucy Addison for all Addison families (including rising 6th graders) to address questions. We also encourage families to reach out to Principal Rosser with any questions.

Q: What is the status of the new RCPS Central Administration Building on Campbell Avenue?

A: Our students always come first; therefore, our priority is to complete the new ROTEC as soon as possible. The new Central Administration Building’s roof was completed in November 2022, and construction is estimated to start in fall 2023. The building is estimated to be substantially complete by fall 2024.

Q: What is the status of the new Community Empowerment and Education Center in the existing Administration Building on Douglass Avenue?

A: As a result of the existing delay with the ROTEC project, the opening of the Community Empowerment and Education Center is anticipated to be July 2025. Currently, the Superintendent’s Community Engagement Committee is planning for the administration of a community needs assessment.

The center will offer resources and services such as:

• A Welcome Center for students and families who need assistance with school enrollment or who have a home language other than English
• Adult Education and Professional Learning Center
• Parent and Guardian University
• Community resources and services as determined by the community needs assessment

In addition, RCPS is working with Trane to apply for a federal grant, which would fund energy and health improvements to the building.