Six new and three returning members of the Loudoun County School Board met for the first time as a board on Tuesday, Jan. 3. They elected Eric Hornberger (Ashburn) as chairman and Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) as vice chairman. Both were elected to the board on Nov. 8 in a voter purge of Democrat-leaning incumbents.
The Board then disappeared into executive session; according to Schools Superintendent Edgar Hatrick, they were going to hear legal advice about the purchase of 45 acres of land at the National Conference Center as the site of a new high school (HS-8). Hatrick said the board would not take action during their meeting.
Legal counseling is one of the exceptions under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act that permits public boards to meet in closed session. The Board of Supervisors, also meeting today for the first time, also went into closed session to talk about the NCC property.With price no longer a sensitive topic, the veil of secrecy suggested kids in a neighborhood clubhouse.
The 120-day “due diligence” phase of the Board of Supervisor’s $20 million contract to buy 45 acres at the NCC (the entire 112- acre property is only assessed at $44 million) is set to expire Jan. 18.
Why all the suspense? Loudoun County taxpayers will find out about it eventually, whatever it is. Why not be adults and just talk about it? Out loud.
HOA Talk 