News Summary
The Wood County Board of Education recently approved a $24.6 million bid for the new Lincoln Elementary School, despite the estimate exceeding the budget by $5 million. Budget overages have led to proposed financial adjustments, including potential savings of $2.9 million. Additionally, road closures and community events are noted, contributing to local development. The district faces challenges in personnel decisions as they navigate these significant projects aimed at enhancing education facilities.
Wood County News Roundup: New School Bid, Budget Overage, and District Updates
Construction Bid for New Lincoln Elementary Approved Despite Budget Overrun
Parkersburg, West Virginia — On September 24, 2025, the Wood County Board of Education approved a bid of $24.6 million for the construction of a new Lincoln Elementary School. The bid was awarded to Grae-con Construction, despite being approximately $5 million over the original budget estimate. This decision came amid ongoing concerns about project costs and district finances.
Budget Overage and Cost Management Strategies
The increased bid price has prompted district officials to explore financial adjustments. Ryan Taylor, CEO of Pickering Associates, indicated that the total forecast for all bond-related projects may exceed $6.2 million above initial projections. To mitigate this overage, the district has proposed $2.9 million in opportunity savings, a move expected to reduce the overall overreach to between $2 million and $3.3 million.
Superintendent Christie Willis stated that the district could allocate up to $7 million currently held in the capital improvement fund to offset the additional costs, though covering the full overage will likely require the district to allocate between $3.0 and $3.3 million from the general budget.
Upcoming Adjustments and Future Plans
Further details about the district’s cost-savings measures and financial plans will be shared in an upcoming edition of the local newspaper. The district continues to evaluate its budget to ensure the completion of the new Lincoln Elementary School without compromising other initiatives.
Road Closure Notification
Pond Creek Road in Wood County will be temporarily closed at milepost 1.55 on Thursday, September 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The closure aims to facilitate maintenance or construction work, and motorists are advised to seek alternative routes during this time.
Celebrating Community and Educational Developments
Discovery World Hosts Worldwide Day of Play
In collaboration with Akron Children’s Hospital, Discovery World, located on Market Street, will host the 2025 Worldwide Day of Play. The event aims to promote active lifestyles and engage families in fun, educational activities. Details regarding the event schedule and activities will be available locally.
Designs Unveiled for New North Parkersburg Elementary School
During the August 12 session of the Wood County Board of Education, architectural designs for the new North Parkersburg Elementary School were presented by Pickering Associates. The new facility will be constructed on the site of the former Lincoln Elementary School, which was closed in June 2001 and subsequently demolished earlier this year.
The new school will feature the Lincoln mascot, a lion, and incorporate a vibrant color scheme including blue and green for exterior and interior environments. The interior design emphasizes creativity, with features such as paint-splattered floors leading into individual classrooms. The school aims to provide a modern and engaging space for students from all grade levels.
Following the opening of North Parkersburg Elementary, the district plans to close Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools. A boundary line vote will be conducted to determine student assignments to North Parkersburg and Madison Elementary Schools. The district’s goal is to enhance educational facilities and better serve students, partly by upgrading Madison Elementary, which will continue to operate in its current location.
Construction bids for North Parkersburg Elementary are scheduled to open on August 28, with construction set to commence in October. The district has not yet decided on the future of the existing Criss and Emerson Elementary School buildings.
Personnel Changes and District Leadership Decisions
The Wood County Board of Education approved a 2-1 vote not to renew the contract of Kara Small, the district’s Special Education Director, for the 2025-2026 school year. The decision followed a personnel hearing where concerns were raised regarding her conduct, including allegations of dishonesty related to a reduction-in-force process and unauthorized engagement of a vendor providing services exceeding $30,000.
Ms. Small defended her actions, asserting she followed protocol to address urgent student needs, despite not receiving prior approval for the vendor engagement. District officials expressed concerns about potential safety and compliance risks associated with hiring unapproved personnel but stated the district’s decision was based on maintaining proper oversight and adherence to policies.
Despite her contract non-renewal, Board President Justin Raber indicated that Ms. Small remains welcome to apply for other positions within the district, emphasizing ongoing opportunities for employment elsewhere within the district’s employment structure.
Summary
In summary, Wood County is advancing several significant projects, including constructing a new elementary school, while navigating budget challenges and personnel decisions. The district continues to work toward modernizing its facilities, managing financial constraints, and maintaining organizational standards to ensure a positive educational environment for its students.
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Vallejo School District Recommends Closure of Lincoln Elementary
Additional Resources
- News and Sentinel: Wood BOE Approves Grae Con for New Elementary Construction
- Wikipedia: Elementary School
- WTAP: Wood County Schools Contends with Federal Funding Pause
- Google Search: Wood County Schools
- Marietta Times: Wood County Schools Board of Education Votes to Not Renew Contract for Special Education Director
- Google Scholar: Wood County Schools
- WTAP: Wood County Board of Education Received Designs for New Elementary School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- WTAP: Wood County Schools Receives Donation Signs Showing National Motto Compliance with New State Law
- Google News: Wood County Schools
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