Summer Building Upgrades Happening in Ohio County Schools
Joselyn King Trending
WHEELING -- About $100 million in renovations are nearly complete in Ohio County Schools as the last items on the punch list are getting done this summer.
What mostly remains among the larger projects are upgrades at Elm Grove Elementary School, which were among last minute add-ons requested by the West Virginia School Building Authority for both Elm Grove and Middle Creek elementaries.
An SBA concern was that classrooms at the two schools weren't large enough, said David Crumm, director of operations for Ohio County Schools.
Kindergarten and pre-kindergarten classrooms must consist of at least 1,000 square feet, while other elementary classrooms must be 750 square feet.
The pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms also must have access to their own restrooms, though adjacent classrooms may share one.
Elm Grove Elementary has received an addition, and those new rooms were opened to students in February.
"We're still finishing up work on the SBA projects," Crumm said. "We're finishing up at Elm Grove, in the original building."
A new gym floor is being placed at the school. In addition, changes are happening at the front drive to the school to re-direct traffic flow.
Parents dropping off students at the school will no longer share the drive with buses, as a sidewalk is being constructed to separate the bus zone from a new parking area facing Mil Acres Drive.
Crumm said there also is still quite a bit of painting to do at Wheeling Park High School this summer. Places to see new paint there include the Beneke Theatre, the main gym, and some classrooms.
At Madison Elementary, there will be painting of some classrooms, the kitchen and the ceiling in the cafeteria and gym, according to Crumm.
In addition, the hallways and gymnasium will be painted at Ritchie Elementary.
While all this is going on, new turf is complete at Wheeling Island Stadium.
"At the maintenance garage, we have all the buses in," Crumm continued. "We put them up on the racks, check their cameras, and do an all-over inspection of buses. We'll also check radios, so when everybody comes back we will be ready for the new school year.
"And don't forget about our custodial crew. They are busy waxing floors, painting the classrooms and exteriors of the buildings, and painting the lines on sidewalks and on parking lots. They are ready to make the schools shine for the new school year."