MATEWAN, W.Va. — An elementary school in Mingo County is getting a huge financial boost from Governor Jim Justice.
Matewan PK-8 School in Matewan has been awarded the grand prize of $100,000 in the governor’s “Do it for Babydog: Round 3” vaccination sweepstakes.
Justice, along with his pet English bulldog, visited students and staff at the school Friday to congratulate them with a special holiday party with Santa.
Principal Cindy Calfee told MetroNews she was overwhelmed by the large amount of funds. She said the money is desperately needed to improve education in an area challenged by the downturn in the coal industry.
“We’re a very low economic population and a small school. To have that much money to be able to improve our school for our children is our first priority,” Calfee said.
Because the news came as a shock to Calfee on Thursday, she said they still need to decide how the money will be spent.
“Whatever it is, it will be to boost our children, to improve different things for the children’s needs and, with the community and schools projects, to be able to support that as well,” Calfee said. “This will support our school for many years.”
Matewan PK-8 is part of First Lady Cathy Justice’s Communities in Schools (CIS) initiative that aims to brings resources into schools and increase graduating rates.
During Round 3 of the governor’s vaccination sweepstakes, one school per week typically receives a $50,000 grand prize check.
For the final week, one student received a $100,000 Educational Savings Fund.