Warren Scott
A MAJOR BOOST — The Brooke County school district has been awarded $6.2 million by the West Virginia School Building Authority to replace plumbing and related facilities and fixtures throughout Brooke High School.
WELLSBURG — A major improvement project at Brooke High School will receive a boost from the West Virginia School Building Authority.
The state board has announced it has awarded $6,220,500 sought by Brooke County school officials to replace plumbing and related facilities and fixtures throughout the building.
Brooke County Superintendent Jeff Crook said ZMM Architects and Engineers of Charleston has been retained to plan the project, which will involve replacement of most of the plumbing that was in the school when it opened in 1969 as well as toilets, sinks, shower heads and other fixtures.
He said because of the size of the project, it’s not expected to be fully completed for two years. But he said there are plans to divide it into phases so that work will be mostly limited to specific areas of the building as it proceeds.
“There is a lot of planning going into this project,” said Crook.
Brooke County Schools was among many school districts from throughout the state to apply for funding from the state board for new construction or improvements to existing facilities.
Gov. Jim Justice, who chairs the board, has announced it was one of 18 projects awarded more than $149 million for needs-based projects.
The amount includes $16.9 million and $20.6 million awarded for the construction of two new elementary schools in Cabell and Wayne counties, respectively, with more than a dozen other counties receiving funds for additions and renovations.
In a press release, Justice noted $111 million was awarded for such projects by the school building authority in December, bringing the total for this year to $261 million.
He said, “I could not be more proud to announce another massive investment in our students. Our students deserve to have access to the learning environments they rightfully deserve. We continue to shatter records with SBA investments. This is proof we are committed to giving our kids the resources they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.”
The Brooke County school district has received SBA funding in the past, including $320,000 awarded for a sewer line extension for Brooke Intermediate South (formerly Franklin Primary School) that allowed the school’s package wastewater treatment plant to be retired.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)
