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School projects taking off in Ohio County with SBA funding, bond contributions

WHEELING, W.Va. — Overwhelmed and excited were the feelings felt by Dr. Kim Miller, the Ohio County Schools Superintendent when she found out her school system was awarded $18 million from the West Virginia School Building Authority (SBA) in “Needs Grants” funding last week.

The funding for renovations in six schools including Warwood School, Wheeling Middle School, Bethlehem Elementary School, Elm Grove Elementary School, Middle Creek Elementary School, and Woodsdale Elementary School was the second-highest award from seven in the state totaling $75 million.

Ohio County Schools’ bid request was unique compared to the others awarded because it focused on renovations to multiple schools instead of building a new school(s). Miller made a presentation to the SBA on March 15.

Kim Miller

“It means a lot of our community to have this money being awarded to Ohio County Schools so we can complete the projects we have in place,” Miller said.

Miller said the upgrades will include security and safety improvements such as new entrances and exits, classroom environment improvements including to wellness/gym centers, and new HVAC systems, electrical, lighting and other infrastructure upgrades. There will also be new fire-alarm systems, ADA additions, water systems, and expanded kitchens.

According to the SBA staff comments, each school in the proposal had at least 50% design phase done for projects at the time of the presentation. Warwood, Woodsdale and Bethlehem have been fully designed and are ready to be released to bid.

“Since the March Superintendent Interview, the county has provided additional educational programming details, which highlight proposed educational innovations, curriculum improvements, and student/staff support program areas that enhance the county’s grant request,” SBA comments read of the request.

“This project addresses several of the criteria used to evaluate projects for funding. The staff feels this project meets the goals and objectives of the needs program, is an excellent use of SBA funds.”

There is a local contribution to this funding of $5,301,212 that will total the renovations at $23 million.

The projects are also part of a capital improvement bond that was passed in May 2018 by Ohio County voters with 60% approval. The bond was for $42 million with improvement to all thirteen schools in the county.

In December 2018, Miller said the school system asked the SBA for $27 million in grants over a period of 3 to 5 years totaling $69 million with the bond money. The SBA awarded the school system $9 million for improvements to Bridge Street and Triadelphia Middle Schools at that time.

Miller said the $18 million awarded in 2021 completes the $27 million in total funding asked to complete the project agenda. She said she wanted to keep her promise to the county voters that the school system would do everything in its power to work on every school.

“We are grateful to the SBA, we are grateful to a community that supported this vision that understood the needs that the upgrades were in dire needs through the school system. This would be for the betterment of our kids,” the superintendent said.

Miller added that through the bond contributions only, Wheeling Park High School is “gutted” with construction work. One of the major projects going on is a $1.9 million multi-purpose turf facility built behind the baseball field on campus.

The field will be used for softball, lacrosse, soccer, band, football practice, physical education courses, and may have lights eventually. School officials hope to have it finished by the start of the fall season.





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