News Summary
The Wood County Board of Education has approved a $24.6 million bid for a new Lincoln Elementary School, awarded to Grae-con Construction, despite concerns over costs exceeding the original budget by $5 million. With projections indicating total costs for bond projects could reach $6.2 million, the district plans to address budgetary concerns through opportunity savings and funds from the capital improvement fund. In addition to this construction news, personnel updates and community events were discussed during the board meeting.
Parkersburg, WV – The Wood County Board of Education has approved a bid of $24.6 million for the construction of a new Lincoln Elementary School, awarded to Grae-con Construction. This decision comes despite the bid being roughly $5 million over the original budget projection. The increase in costs has raised concerns about the overall financial implications for the district.
Ryan Taylor, CEO of Pickering Associates, noted that the total expected costs for all bond projects might surpass $6.2 million. In response to the budget overage, the district is projected to utilize $2.9 million in opportunity savings, bringing the potential overage down to between $2 million and $3.3 million. Consequently, the district will have to allocate funds from its general budget to cover this excess expense.
Superintendent Christie Willis addressed the situation by mentioning that there is $7 million available in the capital improvement fund that could help mitigate the impact of the budget overage on district finances. Detailed plans regarding the district’s cost-cutting measures will be outlined in the upcoming Thursday edition of local newspapers.
In addition to construction developments, the board also recognized 2025 professional and service personnel retirees during their regular meeting held at Parkersburg South High School on September 24, 2025.
Pond Creek Road in Wood County will experience temporary closure at milepost 1.55 on September 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., impacting local traffic.
Discovery World on Market is collaborating with Akron Children’s to celebrate the 2025 Worldwide Day of Play, encouraging community engagement in physical activities and play.
Lincoln Elementary School Developments
The new Lincoln Elementary School will be built on the site of the former Lincoln Elementary, which was closed in June 2001 and subsequently demolished earlier this year. The design of the new facility pays homage to the school’s legacy, incorporating the Lincoln lion mascot and a vibrant interior featuring blue and green colors and unique paint splatters designed to foster creativity in students.
Plans are also in place for a new North Parkersburg Elementary School, with designs presented by Pickering Associates at the board’s August 12 meeting. Following its opening, Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools are slated for closure, as the district consolidates resources to better serve its students.
Future Steps and Boundary Changes
A district vote on boundary lines will be crucial in determining which students will attend the newly constructed North Parkersburg Elementary and Madison Elementary. The budget challenges highlighted by the recent bid approval are part of the district’s broader strategy to enhance educational facilities.
Bids for the construction contracts for North Parkersburg Elementary are scheduled to open on August 28, with construction anticipated to commence in October. Currently, no decisions have been made regarding the future of the Emerson and Criss Elementary School buildings.
Personnel Updates
In personnel matters, the Wood County Board of Education voted 2-1 against renewing the contract of Special Education Director Kara Small for the 2025-2026 school year following a personnel hearing. Reasons cited for the non-renewal included alleged dishonesty regarding workforce reductions and the unauthorized hiring of a vendor for services valued at over $30,000. The board expressed concerns about compliance and safety associated with employing unapproved personnel.
Despite the non-renewal of her contract, board president Justin Raber indicated that Small is welcome to apply for other positions within the district. The board’s decisions reflect ongoing efforts to align district operations with needs while maintaining accountability and fiscal responsibility.
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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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