Chesapeake Residents for Erecting the 8th High School & MORE

Our Group
Chesapeake Residents for Erecting the 8th High School (CRE8HS) originally formed as a coalition of residents dedicated to alleviating overcrowding in Chesapeake high schools.  It was founded in 2008 by Donna Daniels and Wanda Klooster.   Current Core Team Members include Donna Daniels, Wanda Klooster, Patty McGovern, Colleen Riley, Pat Schopawal, and Ingrid Turner.  We have a strong base of supporters who are dedicated to making positive changes in our community and high school infrastructure.

When the economy shifted into reverse in late 2008-early 2009, we realized that we, like everyone else would have to reevaluate and regroup.  Although we have not given up on the 8th high school, and won't as long as there continues to be need, we recognize that funding a new high school is simply out of the question right now.  We are now focusing on where we feel we can do the most good at a time when financial resources are limited and expected to remain so for a number of successive years.  We changed our name from CRE8HS to CRE8HS & MORE to reflect the expansion and reprioritization of our mission as we await economic improvement.  Our new MORE acronym has dual meanings and is explained in our mission statement.

Our Mission

To create a respectful and cooperative team to work with the public, city administrators, school administrators, the School Board, and City Council on several projects:

1. MORE #1- "Making Our River Exceptional",
Bring city representatives and the community together to improve the interior and grounds of Indian River High School while awaiting planned, but unfunded major repairs and renovations.

2. MORE #2- "Mainstreet'ing Our Elected Representatives"
We've identified several communication opportunities that we think will enhance community access to the School Board and help our communities become more aware of and involved in school related issues.

3. CRE8HS - Get the doors of an 8th Chesapeake High School opened to relieve city-wide overcrowding in our high schools as soon as economically possible.

Our Vision

Every Chesapeake high school student will have access to a public education in a safe and secure, uncongested, state-of-the-art facility.

Our Goals

1.  To raise awareness about the condition of Indian River High School and help bring the facility into the
      21st century.

2.  To improve communication between our at-large School Board and the communities they represent

3.  To get the 8th high school back on the one-year plan of the Capital Improvement Plan and encourage
     elected Chesapeake representatives to identify and allocate funding.