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New West Side Schools Out

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 December 2005, 18:00 CST

By Eric Eyre, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va.

Dec. 13--The West Virginia School Building Authority rejected Kanawha County's $18 million plan Monday to build two elementary schools on Charleston's West Side.

But SBA members distributed $4.4 million to build a new Teays Valley Elementary School in Putnam County. The new K-5 school will serve students from Scott Teays and West Teays elementary schools. Both schools will stay open.

The School Building Authority, which distributes money for school construction each year, distributed $67 million to 25 counties Monday. Thirty-five counties requested state money.

Kanawha County was passed over, even though the SBA's formula ranked the two-school West Side project as the fifth best in the state this year.

The proposal called for closing five elementary schools -- Chandler, Glenwood, Grandview, J.E. Robbins and Watts -- and building two new schools on the West Side.

SBA administrators praised the proposal Monday, calling it a "good project."

But Kanawha County school officials requested $5 million more than the SBA's construction funding formula provides.

Kanawha school administrators allegedly included "frills," according to SBA staff members.

Kanawha school officials also declined to request money for a single school over each of the next two years -- a plan SBA members likely would have funded.

"There's a $5 million hole in their budget," said Clacy Williams, the SBA's executive director. "It's unusual they would ask for more money than they knew they were eligible for.

"The project met all of the criteria nicely. But meeting the criteria is immaterial if you don't have the money."

After the meeting, Kanawha schools Superintendent Ron Duerring said Kanawha school board members declined to earmark an extra $5 million for the new West Side schools. Duerring and other Kanawha County school administrators don't believe that two decent elementary schools can be built for $13 million.

"You probably would have had just the bare necessities," Duerring said.

School Building Authority member Connie Perry said Kanawha County school leaders should have pledged money toward the project, and not expected the SBA to pay the entire $18 million.

"They have a surplus," Perry said. "They're a rich county."

Kanawha school board member Pete Thaw shot back Monday that it was "ridiculous" that SBA members passed over West Virginia's largest school system.

"This isn't the end of the world, but it's an example of unfair treatment," Thaw said. "These people don't treat us fairly."

Williams said Kanawha County school officials should submit a West Side school plan again next year -- with a lower price tag.

"Hopefully, they'll be back and we can work on a finance plan," Williams said.

Putnam County's request was partially granted Monday. The SBA awarded the county $4.4 million of the $7.3 million requested for a new Teays Valley-area elementary school.

Putnam Superintendent Chuck Hatfield said the construction price could change after actual bids and plans are prepared for the new school.

"We're tickled to death," Hatfield said after Monday's meeting. The new school will be built between Scott Teays and West Teays elementary schools. The schools are just 3 miles apart but have a combined enrollment of more than 1,200 students. West Teays has more than 760 students alone.

Putnam officials plan to spend $2.3 million on renovations to Scott Teays and West Teays.

Putnam school board President Debbie Phillips said the SBA's announcement means the county must decide how to keep the promise to upgrade those schools.

"Our concern is that we don't want to be left without the money to fix those schools once the new one opens," Phillips said. "We want to keep our commitment to the people who may stay in the old schools."

Fayette, Jackson and Lincoln counties also were big winners Monday.

Fayette County received $4.38 million to build a new Oak Hill elementary school. Scarboro and Oak Hill East End elementary schools will close.

Jackson County was promised $5 million toward two new middle schools and an elementary school, provided voters pass a proposed $26.6 million bond. The money would be used to build a new Ripley and Ravenswood middle school, and a new Kenna elementary school.

Lincoln County received $1.9 million to renovate a K-8 school in Hamlin.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va.

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Source: The Charleston Gazette

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