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SBA grants have improved local school facilities

ELKINS — Several schools in Randolph County have seen improvements made to the facilities after the county received grant funding from the West Virginia School Building Authority.

Randolph County Schools Superintendent Gabe Devono said the county has received approximately $9.6 million since September 2017 for the completion of upgrades and additions to several schools.

“These projects will allow our students to compete academically and athletically with other students in West Virginia,” Amanda Smith, Randolph BOE president, added. “Since the state has awarded Randolph County almost $10 million, it is a great opportunity for the county to support the levy.”

Two schools that have seen significant upgrades are Beverly Elementary and George Ward Elementary. Devono noted the construction and upgrades at these two schools will help to better accommodate students after the closure of Homestead Elementary School and Valley Head Elementary School.

“The upgrades we have made will provide for a better learning environment for our students, -especially the installation of heating and air conditioning units in each room and upgrading the classrooms at Beverly (Elementary School) and George Ward (Elementary School) because of the recent closing of the two schools,” he said.

Funding in the amount of approximately $5 million allowed projects to be completed at both schools.

Beverly Elementary received upgrades to their electrical system, construction of two pre-K classrooms and HVAC installation. In addition, the school will soon see the completion of a new kitchen and cafeteria.

Five additional classrooms were built at George Ward Elementary and an HVAC system was also installed.

Approximately $970,000 was used to make electrical upgrades at Harman School in addition to the installation of an HVAC system in classrooms as well as the gymnasium.

Similarly, Coalton Elementary School saw approximately $650,000 worth of upgrades in their building. An HVAC system was also installed in the school’s gymnasium as well as its classrooms in addition to upgrades to the electrical system.

During the Randolph County Board of Education’s regular meeting Tuesday, Devono announced that additional grant funding was received from the SBA for repairs at Elkins High School in the amount of approximately $2,514,000.

Devono said the roof at EHS will be completely replaced and upgrades will be made to the school’s HVAC system. In addition, funding will allow for the installation of HVAC in the school’s gymnasium.

Devono noted the SBA awards grants to counties twice per year, noting Randolph County has applied to receive assistance several times since September 2017 and has successfully used the funds that have been awarded.

“We started applying in Sept. (2017) and we were awarded funds last Dec., last spring and this December,” he said. “In the last year and a half, we have brought in approximately $9,500,000 to the county to upgrade facilities.”

“Kudos goes to the administration and staff here,” Smith said during Tuesday’s meeting. “Thank you for going to the state and applying for those funds and presenting on behalf of Randolph County — I sincerely appreciate (what the administration has done).”

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