CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state School Building Authority has awarded funding for 2026 to a dozen school districts in West Virginia as part of its annual “Needs” grants.
Several county superintendents nervously waited to hear this county called at the authority’s meeting Monday. 31 counties submitted requests this cycle for a total of $170 million.
This year, the SBA was originally looking at $43.5 million to award, but the total cost came in just over $49 million when everything was said and done.
“We stretched that $49 million about as far as we could, but we’re very proud of what we’ve done so far,” SBA executive director Andy Neptune told reporters Monday.
Two local representatives that left Charleston happy Monday were Grant County Superintendent Mitch Webster and director of facilities Brent Nelson.
Grant County had requested a little over $5 million from the SBA for a renovation project for Petersburg High School, which was constructed in the late 1960’s.
Webster says they desperately needed the funding.
“It’s a very nice-looking school on the outside, but the interior still has the original ceiling, original lighting, original plumbing, and original bathrooms. It’s very outdated,” Webster said. “We are looking to do a complete renovation of that school for about $6.5 million and it’s going to look like a brand-new high school on the inside.”
Nelson says the students are worth the investment.
“We’re looking to capitalize and make Petersburg High School look like one of your newer schools being built in the state,” he said. “Our kids deserve the same quality of schools.”
The full list of projects awarded are as follows:
- Raleigh: Phase 3 of renovations to Woodrow Wilson High School ($9 million awarded)
- Clay: Clay County High School 7th and 8th grade additions ($9 million awarded)
- Grant: Petersburg High School comprehensive renovations and system upgrades ($5 million awarded)
- Mercer: Phase 1 renovations and additions to Mercer County Technical Education Center ($4.8 million awarded)
- Barbour: Consolidation project ($3.5 million awarded)
- Harrison: Bridgeport High School addition/renovation ($3.49 million awarded)
- Logan: Man High School HVAC replacement ($3.3 million awarded)
- Mingo: Lenore PK-8 HVAC project ($2.7 million awarded)
- Braxton: Braxton County Middle School HVAC replacement ($2.3 million awarded)
- Mineral: Keyser High School partial HVAC system upgrade and roof replacement ($2 million awarded)
- Tucker: Davis/Thomas Elementary School sprinkler/pump house ($650,500 awarded)
- Hardy: East Hardy Elementary School elevator modernization and Moorefield Elementary ($295,000 awarded)
Neptune says West Virginia counties have an array of different needs, and selecting who will be receiving funding and who won’t is no easy decision.
“There’s such a need in our state for our facilities and it is dispersed in many different ways, whether it’s population increase and they don’t have enough schools and seats or the facilities that are struggling,” Neptune said. “When you start seeing those sites, it causes you to walk the floor a lot this time of the year to try to decide how and who you’re going to fund.”
He says they tried to award funding to the schools that needed the help the most.
“One that struck a chord with me was down in Logan County and Man High School. They had no fresh air intake. The walls units that they used either had heat or cool. They did not have thermostat control in a lot of their area. When you see that, it really opens your eyes,” Neptune said.
Neptune says being a superintendent is a stressful job, and days like today are big for those with now-funded projects.
“They take a lot of pride and a lot of personal time goes into that as a county superintendent. They answer to local boards, and this is part of their selling point of being a successful superintendent. They are elated and I am happy for them that they are able to obtain that. That’s why you see the smiles and that’s why you see the handshakes,” Neptune said.
“There’s a lot of pressure on our county superintendents with multiple phases. I’m sure with those folks that were here today, there was a sigh of relief that was involved for their success,” he continued.
For Neptune, seeing the disappointed faces in the room will always hurt, but they’re thankful for the $49 million they get to pass out this year.
“It does weigh heavy for a person like myself coming from the education world I came from. I know the needs of those counties, and you try to do the best you can,” he said.
“Be clear, we’re thankful for what we have, and that comes from our governor’s support and that comes from our legislators that continue to help us with our funding,” Neptune said.
Notable projects not selected:
- Berkeley: Hedgesville High School and Rosemont Elementary Schools additions ($16.1 million requested)
- Cabell: Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning and Careers roof replacement ($6.4 million requested)
- Webster: Webster County High School addition and renovation ($6.29 million requested)
- Fayette: Oak Hill High School cafeteria/kitchen renovation ($6 million requested)