# Isle of Wight County Seeks Contract Termination

Isle of Wight County Supervisor David Garner has called for termination of a **$6 million** contract to purchase 14 acres of land intended for a new elementary school in Smithfield, Virginia. The request is based on concerns about an inaccurate land appraisal and costly subsurface soil conditions that could lead to unpredictable stabilization expenses. The proposal emphasizes leveraging geotechnical due diligence clauses to avoid further financial risk and suggests redirecting procurement efforts toward a lower-risk site for school construction.

- **Why this matters:** This development highlights the importance of thorough due diligence in land acquisition contracts, especially for public infrastructure projects.
- Procurement professionals should note the potential for contract termination clauses related to geotechnical findings and the impact on project timelines and budgets.
- Contractors and vendors involved in school construction may see shifts in project scope or location, affecting bidding and resource allocation.
- Local government agencies can use this case as a reference for risk mitigation strategies in future real estate procurements.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 20, 2026

### Government Entities
- Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors
- Isle of Wight County School Board

### Key Quotes
> It has become clear that proceeding with the $6 million land acquisition is no longer a viable or fiscally responsible option for our county.
> — David Garner, District 2 Supervisor

### Sources
- [BREAKING: Isle of Wight supervisor calls for termination of ...](https://www.smithfieldtimes.com/news/breaking-isle-of-wight-supervisor-calls-for-termination-of-school-land-contract-0632c851) - Smithfield Times