PARKERSBURG - Wood County Schools will ask the state School Building Authority for $3.3 million for construction and renovation at Edison Middle School.
Officials hope to have the request submitted to the SBA this week, Sue Woodward, assistant superintendent of school services, said. The district must submit project requests prior to Monday.
The school system is asking for funds to create a connecting building and link between the middle school's upper and lower buildings. The addition would create five new classrooms, a reception area for visitors and a new office area and would provide an enclosed walkway for students traveling between the buildings.
"Right now there is no way for a student to spend their day at Edison without, at some point, having to go outside to reach different classes, which creates a safety issue, "Woodward said.
Cost of the project would be about $4.2 million and Wood County Schools has pledged to cover 20 percent of the cost, roughly $849,000, Woodward said.
This is the third time the Edison project has been submitted to the SBA. This time the scope of the project has been reduced, Woodward said.
This summer the school system will repair the foundation of Edison's library wing, which includes the library and three classrooms. That work was part of the previous two requests, but this time was not included.
"We are going to be doing that work this summer, regardless" of whether the SBA approves work on the addition and security link, Woodward said.
As part of the project request, Woodward said she and Superintendent Pat Law will address the SBA in March. The district should learn in April if the project will be approved.
