Superintendent Christie Willis of Wood County Schools, far right, was at the announcement by the West Virginia School Building Authority on Monday when Gov. Jim Justice, center, announced more than $111 million for new school construction and renovations. Wood County over three years will receive nearly $28 million. (Photo Provided)

Staff Report

CHARLESTON — Wood County Schools was awarded nearly $28 million for new school construction by the West Virginia School Building Authority, state officials announced on Monday.

The $27,928,940 needs grant approved by the authority will be combined with the $62 million bond sale announced in November and approved by Wood County voters in 2022. The bonds will allow the building of three new elementary schools, auditorium renovations at Parkersburg and Parkersburg South high schools, significant improvements to county athletic facilities and security and safety improvements throughout Wood County, the school system said.

“Wood County Schools ranked second in needs funding and received the largest award of over $27 million,” Christie Willis, superintendent of Wood County Schools, said. “This funding will be provided over a three-year period. Wood County Schools is grateful for this investment for the future of our students.”

Needs Grants projects are the major capital improvements funded through the authority’s General Construction Fund.

Willis was in Charleston for the announcement made at the offices of the West Virginia Lottery where authority, chaired by Gov. Jim Justice, met.

The governor announced funding to 19 counties totalling $111,687,534 for fiscal 2024, the largest annual award by the authority since 2011. The funds will be used to build 10 new schools and for major renovations of 13 existing schools across the state.

“This funding doubles down on our belief that every student deserves access to a high-quality education,” Justice said. “These new and upgraded facilities will ensure our students have the resources and technology needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

Twenty-seven school systems applied for funding. Nineteen were approved.

The allocation to Wood County will be used for three new schools, Lubeck Elementary School, Vienna Elementary and North Parkersburg Elementary School, to be paid over three years at $9,309,647 a year for a total of $27,928,940.

The school systems in Jackson, Calhoun and Gilmer counties will receive funding for renovations of existing schools.

In Jackson County, $13,547,398 was allocated for additions and renovations at Ripley Middle School.

Renovations at Calhoun Middle/High School are planned with the $4,839,829 in funding from the authority.

Renovations are planned at Gilmer County High School with an allocation of $724,693.

Other school systems receiving funds for new buildings are: Berkeley, $8,333,333; Wyoming, $15,711,654; Fayette, $15,625,860; Taylor, $7,306,600; and Marshall, $9,213,555.

Other counties receiving funds to renovate existing schools were: Harrison, $5,842,600; Grant, $4,755,330; Greenbrier, $6,707,058; Mason, $1,249,000; Logan, $3 million; Randolph, $558,110; Morgan, $367,100; Hancock, $987,720; Tucker, $1,965,945; and Barbour, $1,642,102.