Trying to put a little class into a home

W-JCC schools want to use a modular home as a classroom and then convert it into a house. March 10, 2006 WILLIAMSBURG -- Could an elementary school classroom become somebody's living room?The city's redevelopment and housing authority is talking with the school district to see if a trailer proposed for Matthew Whaley Elementary School could instead be a modular home, used later as a house in another spot in Williamsburg.The idea - still being researched by the housing authority and Williamsburg-James City schools - would put a temporary house with a steeply sloped roof and gabled windows next to Matthew Whaley, the historic school near Colonial Williamsburg. The school would rent it from the housing authority for a year. Then it would be moved to vacant property elsewhere in the city, remodeled and sold at a reduced price."It appears we can do this and save the School Board money," said James Gurganus, executive director of the housing authority.Portable classrooms are one way schools around Hampton Roads deal with growth and renovation. W-JCC schools have 60 this school year. Hampton's school district has 100. Suffolk has more than 80. READ MORE