Berkeley Springs High School Building C project is approved
The West Virginia School Building Authority (SBA) approved $2.2 million for the Berkeley Springs High School Building C (gymnasium) NEEDS project on Monday.
They had originally asked for $2.9 million for the project, but had taken off the roof replacement from the project plan, said School Superintendent David Banks. Roof repairs are being done on the building by Heidler’s Roofing.
The Morgan County School Board modified their NEEDS project request to an $876,000 QZAB no-interest loan instead of the original $1 million QZAB loan. This change reflects updated information from the School Building Authority on the monies that were available.
The school board was considering a QZAB loan and a bond issue to finance the local match, which was originally $2 million. No information was available yet on whether they had been awarded the QZAB loan.
Renovations
The Building C renovations will move the weight room to the first floor and create new classrooms in its place. It will also replace outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, old leaking plumbing and non-energy efficient windows.
Other work includes improving the locker rooms, shower rooms, storage and office areas; new lighting; replacing interior doors and windows, improving the entrance foyer; replacing electrical, fire alarm and telephone systems; bleacher replacements; upgrading data cabling; and replacing siding, fascia, gutters and downspouts. The building will also be made handicapped-accessible.
Parks & Recreation
The school board appointed Mark Rockwell as a school board representative on the Morgan County Parks & Recreation board at their April 17 meeting. Rockwell will fill an unexpired two-year term, which will end on June 30, 2013.
Acting Parks & Recreation board chairperson and school board member Aaron Close said that Rockwell has been active as a coach in the Biddy Buddy Basketball program. Rockwell said that he enjoys working with kids.
Athletics, library
Berkeley Springs High School athletic director Chad Brinegar presented highlights and students’ accomplishments from the high school’s fall and winter sports at the meeting.
Superintendent David Banks recognized high school senior Tory Bennett as a great athlete and a person of character, who also excels academically. Bennett is a three-time state wrestling title winner with a 217-8 career win record.
Morgan County Public Library librarian Larry Springer told the board about the library’s expanded programs and services, which include e-books, a new teen section and additional computers for job searches. The library receives funding from the special levy.
School calendar
The school calendar for 2012-2013 was also approved. It features a full week off at Thanksgiving break, a spring break the first week of April and a long Christmas break since Christmas Day is on a Tuesday.
The first day back for teachers will be Wednesday, August 15. The first day back for students will be Monday, August 20.
Out-of-state travel
The school board approved a field trip for 40 Berkeley Springs High School seniors to the National Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C. on April 27. Their trip is being funded through a grant.
They okayed a trip to the Washington, D.C. Zoo on May 7 by Greenwood Elementary students, which was being funded by their school allocation and the school’s PTA.
The board also approved a trip by Paw Paw Elementary second and third graders to the Medieval Times festival in Hanover, Maryland on May 10. Trip funding will be from PTO and class funds.
They okayed transportation for a Morgan County 4-H students and parents trip to Steven Fudvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia on April 12.
Other
A membership subscription fee to the West Virginia School Boards Association was approved at the cost of $2,164. Board members felt that they benefited from their membership.
The board approved the Step 7 Project Plan for the employment of personnel for the 2012-2013 school year. The positions funded are a remedial specialist and an alternative education teacher for Warm Springs Middle School, for a total cost of $111,628.
