MORGANTOWN, W.Va. –Voters in Monongalia County are weighing the merits of a proposed school bond that could shape public education in West Virginia for decades to come. While there is widespread support for the concept of a hands-on curriculum focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, there is much less agreement on the right approach to deliver that educational experience.
Voters are considering a $142.6 million bond issue that will fund the construction of the proposed Renaissance Academy if approved.
Plans are to construct a 135,000-square-foot facility that would be the state’s first standalone school devoted to STEM education.
Listen to “Talk of the Town | April 30, 2024” on Spreaker.
“Many of our students who want to avail themselves of both STEM and career technical education don’t have the opportunity to do that; they have to make choices in their curriculum, and we’re trying to eliminate those choices,” said Superintendent Dr. Eddie Campbell.
The new school will be situated on 137 acres of property the school board already purchased on Blue Horizon Drive, approximately equal distance from all three county high schools.
All Monongalia County high school students would be eligible to attend the Renaissance Academy and would rotate in and out for special offerings without interrupting core requirements at their respective schools.
“We’re trying to create a future-forward facility that will give our kids the ability to address those skillsets that are going to allow them to work in future-forward types of employment,” said Campbell.
However, the forward-thinking facility comes with a hefty price tag and could leave property owners with sticker shock. The projected cost of the project is currently $160 million. That includes the cost of construction and furnishing the building.
Listen to “Talk of the Town | May 2, 2024” on Spreaker.
Some residents have balked at the projected cost of the facility and the impact that it will have on property tax bills. Others have expressed concerns that alternatives have not been thoroughly explored, such as renovating existing structures or expanding existing high school campuses to accommodate advanced STEM education.
“This would not only affect other school projects because they need other schools built here, plus the excess levy coming up that could be affected, if they’re not accountable and don’t come up with a good plan, they need to be held accountable,” said Zip Shearer, President and CEO of CSZ Development.
He is among a group of local business leaders opposed to the school bond proposal. They argue the proposal is impractical and too expensive for Monongalia County taxpayers.
“On the surface, it seems like it has merit,” said L.J. Guiliani, who owns 123 Pleasant Street in downtown Morgantown.
“However, this is unvetted. Imagine you have a nice cake but when you got to cut into it, there’s nothing in it. There’s no substance to this.”
Not all business leaders are opposed to the bond. Top officials for Mon Health and West Virginia University are supporting the proposal. David Goldberg, President and CEO of Mon Health, is confident that such a school will draw more people to the region.
“I’m seeing difficulty recruiting top talent,” said Goldberg. “They don’t see programs here that they are coming from in larger areas, here. We need to do everything we can to build a workforce and build off those opportunities.”
Even in Loudoun County, Virginia, it took five ballot initiatives to sway voters to approve a bond that included the construction of a STEM high school, that Monongalia County school officials have referenced as a model for the Renaissance Academy. However, local school officials may not have that time.
If voters, do not approve the bond on Tuesday, the school board could bring a new proposal for voters to consider during the general election in November. The school excess levy will be up for renewal during the 2026 election, making it unlikely that voters would be asked to consider a major school bond at the same time.
It could be 2028 before voters could be presented with another proposal for a STEM focused high school.
Polls are open on Tuesday from 6:30 am to 7:00 pm.