Ohio County Parents Speak Out Against Data Centers
WHEELING -- A Wheeling mother has concerns about a proposed data center announced for the former Centre Foundry site in Warwood.
Amanda McWhorter, vice president of the Middle Creek Elementary PTA, voiced her concerns during Monday night’s Ohio County Board of Education meeting.
She said she was not appearing before the board "with any pitchforks or torches" that have become associated with recent pushback against data centers.
"I am strictly here as a parent this evening as a concerned parent and community member ...," McWhorter told board members. "Our state government has positioned West Virginia as one of the most strategic locations in the nation for data center development and expansion."
McWhorter said the West Virginia Division of Economic Development website emphasizes "fast deployment with no barriers" for those seeking to build data centers in the state.
"It also lists our over 32,000 miles of rivers and streams as a perk for developers," she said.
McWhorter noted many of the district’s schools are located along rivers or streams that lead to the Ohio River.
"We are expecting our first local data center at the former Centre Foundry -- which is approximately one mile away from both of the Warwood schools," she said. "This data center could be up and running in its first phase in just a few months.
"Let me reiterate -- (this represents) fast deployment and no barriers."
McWhorter asked board members to take swift action on two matters.
First, she requested the board adopt a resolution opposing the construction or expansion of any data centers in Ohio County unless an environmental review is conducted to evaluate the potential impact on students, school facilities and surrounding communities.
Second, she asked board members to work toward creating a countywide plan to address the health, safety and learning impacts on students and schools located near data centers.
McWhorter said that just as the state is acting quickly to attract data center development to West Virginia, school districts also must act quickly.
"It's not 'if' data centers are (coming) -- it's a matter of when. And quite frankly, it could be just a few months from now," she said.
Monday’s meeting was the first for the newly seated board, which includes returning members Board President David Croft, Andy Garber, Anne Hercules and Bernie Albertini, along with newcomer Jerry Ames.
Croft was absent from Monday’s meeting, which was presided over by Garber, the board’s vice president.
Among the board’s actions was approval of a $293,900 contract with Achieve Behavioral Health for the upcoming school year. The company will provide Ohio County Schools with four behavioral specialists to work with Tier 3 students who require highly intensive, individualized academic or behavioral support.
Last year, Achieve Behavioral Health served 195 students in the district.
The board will next meet at 6 p.m. July 27 at the board office, 2203 National Road, Elm Grove.