(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education approved the district’s $165 million 2026 budget Friday.

The budget included $83,898,679 for instruction, which encompasses things such as support services, food service and $638,000 for community services.

Community organizations to receive funding from the district included:

* Parkersburg/Wood County Public Library: $380,500

* Vienna Public Library: $60,000

* Artsbridge: $15,000

* Parkersburg YMCA: $10,000

* Parkersburg Boys & Girls Clubs: $90,000

* New Era School: $5,500

* WVU Extension: $77,000

The budget also included $82,933,259 for the upcoming bond projects the district has planned. This budget is separate from the general fund and will include the building of three new elementary schools in Lubeck, North Parkersburg and Vienna. This budget will also include other projects approved in the bond.

The next regular meeting of the board is scheduled for June 10 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be open to the public and streamed online.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com