Nov. 7-The following press release has just been issued by Dr. Roger N. Morris, Division Superintendent, Patrick County Public Schools, concerninig the Fire Claim Negotiations for the Meadows of Dan Elementary School.

November 7, 2011 PRESS RELEASE Significant Progress Made in Meadows of Dan School Fire Claim Negotiations The Patrick County School Board Building Committee met on Friday, November 4, 2011, with the insurance representatives from the Virginia School Boards Association and the adjusters and claim specialists representing the reinsurer, RSUI Group. During the meeting the following items were accomplished: 1. A set amount for the cost to replace per square foot was agreed to for the initial phase of the ACV/RV process. Both parties agreed to keep this cost confidential until after the bids/proposals come in for the rebuilding of the school to avoid the tainting of the bid/proposal process. The School Board will have the right to renegotiate this price if there are no acceptable bids that come in at this amount (or less). 2. Insurance agreed that the cafeteria deserves to be more closely studied to determine if the cost of repairing is actually practical. 3. Both parties agreed that to bid/propose out the construction of the project, as defined by the Procurement Act, and would not use the emergency provisions. 4. Insurance agreed that the cafeteria deserves to be more closely studied to determine if the cost of repairing is actually practical. 5. Insurer agreed to declare the contents, such as consumables and technology, a total loss for the main building, but they reserve the right to review any potential exceptions. In this case each party will inspect the contents to mutually agree on its loss. 6. Replacing the water system will begin immediately. Currently the water system is underneath the main building, which is one reason that prevents the school division from demolishing the current structure. 7. The additional square footage required under the Virginia Department of Education Guidelines is still awaiting a legal opinion. 8. Staff personal losses will be sent to insurance for further consideration. 9. The goal is to begin construction of the new building by Spring 2012 (Demolition will occur earlier and that timetable is currently being evaluated). 10. These decisions are pending approval of the full School Board and the reinsurer’s authorizing person/board. Mr. Ronnie Terry, Blue Ridge District School Board member, stated that the negotiations were “tough, but in the end very favorable towards our positions.� “With the cafeteria back on the table, at least this part will be more closely examined.� Dr. Roger Morris, Division Superintendent commented that these discussions were “very positive.� Mr. Bobby Mangrum stated, “after a bumpy start all parties came to an agreement that will now allow us to start moving forward on developing plans, drawings, etc. While not all areas have been agreed upon we came a long ways from where we were a few weeks ago.�