Wood Schools to apply for planning grant
PARKERSBURG - Wood County Schools will use a state grant opportunity to further develop plans and designs for the construction of three new schools.
Wood County Schools plans to use a $100,000 planning grant from the West Virginia School Building Authority to further develop plans for a new Lubeck Elementary School and new elementary schools in north Parkersburg and Vienna. Construction of the three schools, using bond proceeds and other essential funding, was approved by Wood County voters in May as part of a $61 million facilities bond call.
The Wood County Board of Education on Tuesday approved application for the grant. The action follows a meeting with state officials on Sept. 8 in Charleston.
Unprecedented inflation has led to additional steps in the bond facility process. The SBA has paused approval of funding for new needs projects pending updated cost figures and bid openings on several projects for which Authority funding previously had been awarded. School Building Authority officials are working to fulfill needs for all outstanding projects where funding previously has been pledged.
The School Building Authority has recommended Wood County Schools apply for a planning grant to refine plans for the proposed three new schools. The School Building Authority will review Wood County’s needs, plans for the new schools, and costs when the SBA meets to consider funding for new needs projects later in the fiscal year.