News Summary

The Wood County Board of Education has approved a $24.6 million bid for a new Lincoln Elementary School, surpassing the initial budget. As they work to address this overage, the district aims to ensure the project’s completion while planning for the construction of North Parkersburg Elementary. A boundary vote will determine student placements in light of upcoming school closures, impacting the educational landscape in Parkersburg. Additionally, a recent decision regarding personnel adds another layer of complexity to the district’s operations.

Parkersburg Schools Move Forward with New Elementary Amid Budget Concerns

Parkersburg, WV – The Wood County Board of Education has approved a bid of $24.6 million to construct a new Lincoln Elementary School with Grae-con Construction. This amount surpasses the original budget estimations by approximately $5 million. Consequently, the Board must now work to reconcile this budget overage while ensuring the project’s completion.

Ryan Taylor, CEO of Pickering Associates, indicated that the total forecast for the entirety of the bond projects is projected to exceed $6.2 million. To mitigate the overage, the district identified potential $2.9 million in opportunity savings, which could reduce the discrepancy to a range between $2 million and $3.3 million. Ultimately, the district will need to allocate up to $3.3 million from its general budget to cover the excess costs.

Superintendent Christie Willis noted that there is currently $7 million available in the capital improvement fund, which could help offset the budget overage. Further details regarding potential cost-saving measures for the district will be reported in the Thursday edition of local publications.

Closure of Old Schools and Future Plans

The new Lincoln Elementary School will rise on the site of the old school, which was closed in June 2001 and later demolished earlier this year. This transition reflects the district’s aim to provide improved facilities for students. The new school will embrace the Lincoln lion mascot and feature an engaging design, characterized by blue and green colors along with creative elements inside.

Plans are also in motion for the new North Parkersburg Elementary School, which was presented during the Board’s August 12 meeting. This school will also be designed creatively, with vibrant colors for various grade levels and cheerful paint splatters guiding students to their classrooms. Bids for the construction of North Parkersburg Elementary are set to open on August 28, with construction anticipated to start in October. Following this, Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools will be closed, making room for these updates.

Boundary Determination and Student Placement

To address student placement following the closure of existing schools, the Board will conduct a boundary line vote. This decision will determine which students will transition to North Parkersburg Elementary and Madison Elementary. The district also plans to enhance Madison Elementary as a direct consequence of the development at Lincoln Elementary.

Personnel Changes and Contract Issues

During the recent meeting, the Board made a contentious decision to vote 2-1 against renewing the contract of Special Education Director Kara Small for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. The administration cited concerns of dishonesty related to discussions about a reduction in force and the unauthorized engagement of a vendor for services exceeding $30,000. In an attempt to support students in urgent need, Small defended her actions and insisted she was adhering to procedural protocols.

Despite Small’s defense, Board members expressed unease about the implications of hiring unapproved personnel, particularly in terms of safety and compliance. However, Board President Justin Raber confirmed that Small is welcome to apply for other positions within the district, even though her current contract will not be renewed.

Impact on District Operations

The recent developments within the district outline a critical transition phase for Parkersburg schools as they adjust to new construction and closures. The decisions made will play a significant role in shaping the educational environment for students and addressing community needs.

In addition to the new school projects, the community has been informed of temporary road closures. Pond Creek Road will be closed at milepost 1.55 on Thursday, September 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., impacting local traffic during construction efforts.

The Wood County Board of Education continues to navigate these challenges in hopes of uplifting its educational offerings while staying within budgetary constraints.

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Additional Resources

• News and Sentinel: Wood BOE Approves Grae Con for New Elementary Construction
• Wikipedia: Elementary School
• WTAP: Wood County Schools Contends with Federal Funding Pause
• Google Search: Wood County Schools
• Marietta Times: Wood County Schools Board of Education Votes to Not Renew Contract for Special Education Director
• Google Scholar: Wood County Schools
• WTAP: Wood County Board of Education Received Designs for New Elementary School
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
• WTAP: Wood County Schools Receives Donation Signs Showing National Motto Compliance with New State Law
• Google News: Wood County Schools

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