CHARLESTON, W.Va. — County school superintendents from across the state will present their proposed construction NEEDS projects for funding in front the of the state School Building Authority Monday and Tuesday.
A new 46 percent increase in the square footage cost allowance will be in effect when projects are presented at the SBA office in Charleston. The SBA voted on the change last month. It’s the first increase in the allowance since 2019.
The previous allowance cost of just more than $300 a square foot, which SBA members believed was way below what construction costs actually are due to COVID and inflation.
Elementary schools will be allowed to ask for $447 per square foot. Pre-K-8 schools are allowed up to $445, middle schools up to $442 and high schools up to $440.
In the last two years the SBA has had to add money to a number of projects because the original amount of money awarded wasn’t enough due to several factors.
SBA Chairman Brian Abraham previously told MetroNews they could no longer afford the supplemental funding, so they decided to change the square footage allowance.
Supplemental funding was awarded to schools in Wood, Mercer, McDowell and Hampshire counties back in March totaling approximately $38 million.
Monday’s presentations will come from county superintendents in Berkeley, Grant, Wayne, Fayette, Raleigh, Wood, Gilmer, Webster, Wyoming, Calhoun, Morgan, Monongalia, Brooke and Hancock counties.
Wood County Schools Superintendent Christie Wells will request up to $27.9 million in SBA funding for a new Lubeck Elementary, a new Vienna Elementary and a new North Parkersburg Elementary. Fayette County Schools Superintendent Gary Hough will ask for up to $15.6 million for a new Midland Trail Elementary School.
On Tuesday, the SBA will hear from school superintendents in Cabell, Mason, Lewis, Greenbrier, Randolph, Taylor, Harrison, Barbour, Tucker, Logan, Hardy, Jackson and Marshall counties.
Jackson County is requesting up to $13.5 million for additions and renovations to Ripley Middle School. Up to $16.9 million is needed for a new Ona Elementary School in Cabell County.
To view a full list of the NEEDS funding requests, CLICK HERE.
The SBA will vote on which projects to fund in on Dec. 11.