On Friday, May 9th, the Department of Education sent a letter to Charlottesville City Schools (CCS) saying that the recently closed Federal Executive Institute property, which the department had awarded CCS only weeks before, was now to be sold to the University of Virginia. The Department of Education had previously awarded its rights to CCS, intending the property to be used as a preschool and administrative office space. The Department’s sudden reversal left many surprised and left CCS with even fewer options for educational and administrative spaces within the city. 

     The Federal Executive Institute, located on Emmet Street North in Charlottesville, was first established in the late 1960s during the Johnson administration as a training center for government officials. It served that function until February of 2025, when President Trump signed an executive order to eliminate the Institute, which was then shuttered. 

     The property became available for sale by application, and UVA, CCS, and other private groups all submitted applications for the property. 

     When the Knight Time Review reached out to Deputy University spokesperson Bethanie Glover for UVA’s perspective, she informed us that “UVA was approached by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to submit a proposal for the Federal Executive Institute (FEI) property. At that point, the University inquired about submitting a joint application with the City of Charlottesville. The GSA indicated that they would not accept such a proposal. In addition to responding to the GSA’s request for a proposal, UVA submitted a letter in support of the City’s proposal.” 

     UVA initially tried to reach a joint proposal with CCS, but was not able to, so UVA submitted their own proposal as well as supporting CCS’s Proposal.

     “A key part of the reason why UVA submitted a proposal was concern that the property might go to an entity that did not have a public service mission, like a private school or a for-profit developer. Once we heard that the federal government had accepted the City’s proposal, we congratulated the City and moved on, fully expecting that the matter was closed.”

     “Overwelmingly, people were excited,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. Royal Gurley.

     Most expected the matter was indeed closed, until Charlottesville City Schools received, rather suddenly, a letter from the Department of Education informing them that they had reversed their decision and would grant the sale of the property to UVA. This came as a shock to almost everyone involved, including UVA and CCS. 

     “I don’t think they ever really gave a reason, they just said that UVA, their vision aligned more with the federal government. It didn’t feel good,” said Dr. Gurley on the matter. 

     According to Ms. Glover, “UVA’s acquisition of the FEI property was completed on August 1. The deed requires UVA to operate the property for at least the next 30 years and provide annual operational progress reports to the U.S. Department of Education. As specified in the deed, UVA will use the property for the purposes of its ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) and School of Continuing and Professional Studies programs. Next steps include naming the property and completing necessary renovations and repairs. The upcoming spring semester is the target date for classroom use and programming.” 

     CCS requires more educational and administrative spaces in the city, and the Federal Executive Institute property would have been a great resource as a preschool and administrative office space. “If we received the property, we knew that there was a building there already that we could renovate to make our preschool center, we could collocate our division administration,” said Dr. Gurley.

     “The possibilities, we felt, were endless.”

     “And then, by making those spaces, then at the FEI property, then we could use some of the properties that we were freeing up, like Walker, to become an alternative learning center.” 

     When I asked Dr. Gurley how he believed this would impact CCS students and family, he responded that “I think in the moment we were very disappointed, you thought you were gonna have something that you didnt have, but ultimately we do what we do best here in Charlottesville, and we figure out a way, so while we didnt get that property, we just went to plan B, and our plan B will be just as robust as our initial plan, and we will make a way for our students.” 

    While CCS no longer gaining the FEI Property is a loss for the city and students, the administration says it will keep working diligently to make sure that every student is supported and successful. 

     Many members of the public are confused by the Department of Education’s reversal, and many view this issue as a loss for CCS and public education. Whatever the case, UVA will use the property for its ROTC program for at least the next 30 years, and CCS will continue its education mission in its current properties around the city. 

Information from: 

• The Cavalier Daily
• University of Virginia Deputy Spokesperson Bethanie Glover
• CCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Royal Gurley

Photo Credit: Carol M. Highsmith/ Public Domain