Trustees Gene Werlin, Chip Cureton and John Beckworth


CLOSING THE PURCHASE AND PLANNING FOR TOMORROW

    Many people, ranging from current and former headmasters, trustees and volunteers, have pursued the dream of acquiring the land to the School’s west  owned by Mrs. Marjorie Milby and her family for nearly 40 years.  On and off discussions began in the mid-1970’s but no real progress was made until the summer of 2009 when the School received a call from Mrs. Milby’s representative who said she would consider selling the land.  John Beckworth and Chip Cureton, past Chairs of the Board of Trustees, led the year-long negotiations that made the dream a reality on September 21. 
    Mr. Cureton has chaired the Land Committee since 1984.  “The Land Committee explored many options for acquiring additional land close to the campus, but always knew that the Milby property was the most desired.  To complete this project, after working on it for nearly 30 years has been very gratifying. My heartfelt thanks go to The Land Committee, composed of a number of real estate experts, whose guidance was invaluable throughout the process.  I also would like to thank Don North who during his 15 years as Headmaster established a rapport with Mrs. Milby that led to discussions about the purchase, and John Beckworth for his skillful negotiating over the past year that was instrumental in closing the deal.  It is relatively rare when you can solve an institution’s land needs forever, but I believe we have for Kinkaid.”
    Mr. Beckworth reflected on the importance of acquisition. “The significance to our School is dramatic.  I have heard the proposed acquisition described as a one hundred-year step for Kinkaid. This has been a generations-long aspiration, and it is simply great to be able to conclude it and to have the property available for the School. It will be appreciated by the Kinkaid family for years and years to come.  Kinkaid has long valued its relationship with the owner and all of the School’s neighbors. The future planning and use of the property will only enhance the School, our adjacent neighbors' property, and the broader community.”
    Trustee and Building Committee Chair Gene Werlin is charged with leading the long-range planning for the land.  “Kinkaid is fortunate to have Building Committee members with expertise in many areas of campus development.  For this unprecedented opportunity, we will retain consultants to help with a master plan for the entire campus including the recently acquired land. This process will take a considerable amount of time to ensure that the land is put to the highest and best use, and it will include gaining valuable input from the Kinkaid community. I realize that because of the wisdom and generosity of all the people that built the existing campus, my children were fortunate to attend one of the finest schools in the country.  I look forward to helping Kinkaid with this transformational project to benefit students for generations to come.”

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