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ELKINS - Projects in Randolph, Tucker and Pocahontas counties will receive millions of dollars in funding from the state School Building Authority, Gov. Jim Justice announced.
A total of $1,791,058 will go to the Randolph County school system, to be used for partial roof replacement at Elkins Middle School.
The Tucker County school system will receive $6,428,460 to be used for partial roof and HVAC replacement at Tucker County High School.
A total of $1 million will go to the Pocahontas County school system to be used for renovations at Pocahontas County High School.
Justice, as Chairman of the West Virginia School Building Authority (SBA), announced Wednesday that the SBA approved an award of $149,851,553.00 for 18 new needs-based projects.
"I could not be more proud to announce another massive investment in our students," Justice said. "Our students deserve to have access to the learning environments they rightfully deserve. We continue to shatter records with SBA investments. This is proof we are committed to giving our kids the resources they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom."
The funding announced this week builds upon a previous award of $111 million in December 2023, bringing the total awards for Fiscal Year 2024 to an unprecedented $261 million, officials said.
Since Justice assumed office in 2017, the School Building Authority has allocated more than $643 million to county school boards in West Virginia. When combined with the $363 million from local contributions, the overall investment in the state's educational facilities surpasses $1 billion.
"This represents more than just a billion-dollar investment in our schools," Justice said. "It also translates into a billion dollars spent on construction jobs enhancing these very schools throughout West Virginia. This is a win for everyone and something we are all proud of."
Counties receiving funds to build new schools include Cabell County, receiving $16,910,069 to be used for construction of the new Ona Elementary School; and Wayne County, receiving $20,649,800 to be used for addition at Buffalo Elementary School to create Buffalo PK-8 School.
Counties receiving funds to renovate existing schools include:
∫ Morgan County -- $3,924,284 to be used for HVAC replacement at Berkeley Springs High School. Monongalia County -- $4,430,544 to be used for STEM addition at Monongalia County Technical Education Center.
∫ Brooke County -- $6,220,500 to be used for interior plumbing renovations at Brooke County High School.
∫ Raleigh County -- $2,069,526 to be used for water line replacement at Woodrow Wilson High School and Academy of Careers and Technical.
∫ Webster County -- $3,552,220 to be used for safe school entrances at Glade Elementary School and Webster Springs Elementary School.
∫ Lewis County -- $11,020,242 to be used for HVAC replacement and interior upgrades at Lewis County High.
∫ Hardy County -- $5,324,600 to be used for HVAC renovations at Moorefield Middle School.
∫ Cabell County -- $1,000,000 to be used for STEM class addition and cafeteria expansion at Cabell Midland High School.
∫ Webster County -- $991,802 to be used for interior renovations at Webster Springs Elementary School.
∫ Monongalia County -- $887,919 to be used for safe school entrances at Mountainview Elementary School.
∫ Mingo County -- $437,533 to be used for safe school entrances at Tug Valley High School.
∫ Summers County -- $684,896 to be used for roof renovations at Summers County Career and Technical Center.
∫ Lewis County -- $242,140 to be used for skylight replacement and safety repairs at Roanoke Elementary School.
In total, the above projects equal $87,565,593.
Previously announced multi-year projects in Berkeley and Wood County are being funded from this award, as well, equalling $35,285,960. An additional $27 million was set aside for future projects, grants, and potential inflationary concerns.
These factors bring the total cost of funding required to address these critical infrastructure needs to $149,851,553.