Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - This morning, Richmond Public Schools gave one of their first tours of Fox Elementary since a fire destroyed the interior over a year ago.
Standing outside the burnt remains of the Fan District school, representatives of Richmond Public Schools discussed the extent and nature of the damage. The February, 2022 fire, which started in an upper mezzanine and spread rapidly, caused a great deal of damage on its own. The water used to put out the fire caused further damage, as has the resulting year exposed to the elements without a roof. The building also remained in the custody of Richmond Fire until July 2022, according to Richmond Schools Chief Operating Officer Dana Fox, which has caused additional setbacks in restoration efforts.
Despite the extensive damage, however, RPS representatives said they were hopeful students could return to Fox Elementary as soon as Fall of 2025.
In response to concerns that the cost to rebuild Fox will divert funding from other RPS construction projects, Richmond School Board 2nd District representative Mariah White was clear that Fox's rebuilding is a financial priority for the school board, but that it will not come at the expense of other schools' needs. "This was unexpected, [but] they're not being bumped down... we're not going to leave any of our schools out."
Richmond City Councilmember Katherine Jordan was also in attendance, and said it was her first time inside the school since the fire. "Not only am I a city councilmember but I'm a former Fox parent," she said. "I haven't been inside yet, but my kids had classes on every single floor." She emphasized, however, that progress was being made towards getting students back in the building. "We are working together... to get these kids back in here as quickly as we can."
Inside the school, that which remained was eerily frozen in time. Chalk was still on several boards, and peeling murals remained on the cafeteria walls.
RPS said their plan for the historic school building is to preserve as much of the exterior as possible. On the inside, however, the rebuilt Fox is to "look like a 21st century school." RPS COO Fox said she hoped to have all permit submitted to the city by May.
"We will be back," said White. "This is team Fox here and we're working it."
