FALLING ROCK, W.Va. — The damage to Herbert Hoover High School in the June 23 flood may be too much to repair.
Kanawha County officials received word Friday from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that following a damage assessment of the building it was determined Hoover sustained 70.09 percent substantial damage.
The determination could mean a new building for the school with the federal government picking up a lot of the cost, Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said.
“That would give the opportunity for the board of education to seek substantial federal funding to replace the structure,” Carper said.
The estimated price tag of the damage is $12.3 million with the fair market value of the school, located at Falling Rock, set at $17.5 million.
Future decisions will be up to county school board working with FEMA, Carper said.
“The board of education will have to make a judgment call–what’s in the best interest of the citizens and the children in that area of the county,” Carper said.
When asked if renovation was an option, Carper told MetroNews if it were a county (commission) owned building with that much damage he wouldn’t put any additional public money into it.
The state Board of Education approved a school instructional time waiver for the Kanawha County Thursday that will allow Hoover students to split time with Elkview Middle School students in the Elkview Middle building when the school year begins Aug. 8. The split schedule will continue until portable classroom buildings are installed on the Elkview Middle School football field for a new “portable” high school.
Kanawha County School Superintendent Ron Duerring could not reached for comment Friday evening concerning the damage assessment determination.