Marshall County Schools Receives $9.2M Toward New Benwood-McMechen Elementary School
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MOUNDSVILLE - Marshall County Schools is receiving $9.2 million from the West Virginia School Building Authority to build a new Benwood-McMechen Elementary School.
Superintendent Shelby Haines and Facilities Director Mike Price were in Charleston for the announcement made by Gov. Jim Justice on Monday.
Marshall County's money - $9,213,555 - is part of an overall $111,687,534 allocation of SBA funding to 19 counties in fiscal year 2024. Ten new schools will be constructed in the state and 13 others will receive renovations thanks to the allocations.
Both Haines and Price said they were happy to receive the news of the district getting the funding. Haines said the money will cover about 70% of the project's cost. The remainder needed will be covered by tax levy funds earmarked for the new school.
"When we look at the current Center McMechen School, there is no place for buses to load and unload the children, and there is no place for parents to get off the road to allow them to drop off their children to go to school," Haines said. "With the new school we will have a nice turnaround area for students to safely get to school without having to be in the middle of the highway."
She noted the new school will also have updated safety features including a mantrap. It will also feature a gymnasium that can also be used for events and musicals that the community can attend as well.
Price said the original school was built in the 1970s with the gym area built in the 1950s. The new school will be situated on a piece of land purchased more than a year ago in the Fourth Street area of Benwood. It offers about seven acres of space. There is a ballfield there now, but it will likely be moved.
What will be done with the current school building has not yet been decided.
Haines said the district had to make a presentation to the SBA a month ago that included information and photos of the land for the new school location. They also talked about the old school and its issues such as how temporary walls and doors were installed to help do away with the old open concept classrooms popular in the 1970s.
Then a week ago an SBA official did an on site review. Haines said they recently received the call to come to Charleston for the good news.
"We're both extremely happy," Price added.
The school currently has 170 students. Haines said the school likely will be about the same size. Price said after hiring a design firm the design process would take about a year before any construction would begin.
Justice said in a press release that he was proud of the investments going to be made into the schools.
"Because it represents our unwavering commitment to providing West Virginia students with the best possible learning environment," Justice said. "This funding doubles down on our belief that every student deserves access to a high-quality education.
"These new and upgraded facilities will ensure our students have the resources and technology needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond."