For the past few years, Richmond schools employees have replaced students in the old Albert V. Norrell Elementary School on Fendell Avenue and the nearby Norrell Annex on West Graham Road, buildings named for one of the first African-American principals in Richmond.

Now the employees are to be moved out and the two buildings are to be shut down as part of money-saving moves the Richmond School Board approved in June.

Closing the Norrell buildings is estimated to save about $300,000 a year.

Tommy Kranz, assistant superintendent for support services, said the moves likely will begin after Thanksgiving and be completed by mid-December.

He said the Head Start operation would be moved to the reopened Ruffin Road building in South Side, once used as a preschool and for primary grades.

Offices of staff psychologists and other employees who deal with families and disabled children will move to revamped space on the third floor of the Richmond Alternative School on Leigh Street.

Others offices, such as risk management, will be moved into school system space in City Hall, he said.