CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thanks to an ongoing dispute about implementation of state law, West Virginia does not currently have a prevailing wage.
According to one contractor that has saved the Berkeley County Schools system between $200,000 and $300,000 on one of their latest projects.
Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Manny Arvon said during MetroNews TalkLine Wednesday the board expected to spend more than $1 million on a six-classroom addition at Potomack Intermediate School, but awarded a bid of about $986,000 on Monday.
Arvon said the temporary suspension of the prevailing wage gives everyone in the state a chance to see the true cost of construction.
“I think there’s an opportunity to see a real number,” Arvon said. “and make some decisions based on factual numbers.”
Arvon said he believes school districts across West Virginia will see savings thanks to the prevailing-wage law changes.
The state’s prevailing wage disappeared July 1.