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PARKERSBURG -- The second of three informational sessions about the proposed facilities bond for Wood County Schools will be held at 6:30 p.m. today in the auditorium at Parkersburg South High School.
The Board of Education has proposed the construction of three new schools and projects in school buildings and athletic facilities totaling over $81 million. The $60.85 million bond proceeds would be coupled with about $21 million from the West Virginia School Building Authority.
The third public information session will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Parkersburg High School. The first meeting was held April 5 at Williamstown High.
Meetings are open to the public and are live streamed.
The bond is on the ballot in the May 10 primary election. The board approved the issue in February.
Proposed are three new schools: Lubeck Elementary School, $20.5 million; a new consolidated elementary school in North Parkersburg, $24.6 million; a new consolidated elementary school in Vienna, $23.2 million.
Facility improvements proposed are:
* Classroom expansion and drive improvements at Madison Elementary, $2.2 million.
* New auditorium seats, sound system improvements and a new addition to the Rod Oldham Athletic Center concessions at Parkersburg South, $550,000.
* New balcony seats in the Parkersburg High School auditorium, more restrooms in the cafeteria and field house concession improvements, $400,000.
* Access road at Martin Elementary School, $500,000.
* Security vestibules at Blennerhassett Middle School, Gihon Elementary School, Jackson Middle School, Hamilton Middle School, Martin Elementary School, $1.25 million.
* Renovation of the existing side bleachers, renovations to Building 413 and upgrading existing rest rooms at the stadium at Parkersburg High, $2 million.
* New turf, a paved parking lot, expansion of home-side bleachers and construction of a new softball and baseball field at Erickson All-Sports Facility, $5.25 million.
* New turf and upgrading the existing drainage system at the Williamstown High stadium, $1 million.
Information about the bond and artists renderings are available at https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/page/2022-facilities-bond .
According to the fact sheet from the school system, the maximum tax rate of 4.5% on a $200,000 house from the bond is $10.88 per month. The maximum tax rate of the 2017 and 2022 bonds combined on a $200,000 house would be $17.42 per month, according to the fact sheet.