2022 School Bond Facts - Page 2

  • Classrooms

    • Classrooms have not been designed. This will begin after the Bond passage.

    • Building design will follow the WVDE Policy 6200.

    • However, using local funds, the schools will offer

      • Middle School size gymnasiums.

      • Separate cafeteria spaces

      • Music room

      • Breakout/Intervention spaces.

    • Wood County Schools wants to keep school populations around 600 students in elementary schools.

    • All proposed new schools in the Bond are in alignment with the 2020-2029 Comprehensive Education Facilities Plan as established by the CEFP committees.

  • Clarification:

    • The county will present the Bond for building projects in May of 2022.

      • This will increase taxes. Maximum Rate 4.5% or Market Rate 2.91%

  • Athletic facilities –

    • Wood County Board of Education has taken ownership of these facilities and has a desire to make them safe, inviting, and up to standard with our neighboring communities.

    • Maintenance costs for the two grass fields equal the cost of one turf field over 10 years.

    • Wood County Schools does not own a baseball/softball field except for the Worthington ballfields for PHS Softball.

  • Why now?

    • The School Building Authority has pledged a significant amount of funding upon successful passage of the Bond (Up to $21 million).

    • Interest rates are at historic lows but beginning to rise.

    • Construction will not be less expensive in the future.

    • We need to level the playing field by creating schools that serve all students.

    • Wood County BOE has been and continues to invest local funds into facilities that we know all continue to be utilized in the future.

  • What happens if the Bond does not pass?

    • The schools listed will require an estimated $27.5 million of renovations/maintenance by 2030 and a loss of $21 million from the School Building Authority. Combined, the loss would be $48.5 million for new schools.

    • These funds will have to come from local sources.

    • The Wood County BOE will continue to implement the 2020-2029 CEFP (Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan), which will include the reduction of schools in our district. Consolidation into dated facilities will be inevitable.

  • Restructure of District lines

    • The plan is not related to the construction of new schools.

    • This is related to the balancing of student populations in our facilities.

  • Faculty and Staff positions

    • This is governed by WV Code 18a-4-8f.

    • Once the vote is collected, WCS will follow through with the process.