September 24, 2025

Wood County Board Approves New Lincoln Elementary School

here-intlog
September 24, 2025
7:17 am
Virginia Beach

News Summary

The Wood County Board of Education has approved a $24.6 million construction bid for a new Lincoln Elementary School, exceeding the initial budget by $5 million. The board hopes to manage the financial shortfall through available funds and savings. The new school, featuring a vibrant design and innovative learning spaces, is set to be built on the site of the former Lincoln Elementary. Discussions regarding the future of nearby schools are ongoing as the district aims to enhance educational facilities for the community.

Wood County Approves $24.6 Million Bid for New Lincoln Elementary Despite Budget Overrun

Parkersburg, WV – The Wood County Board of Education approved a construction bid of $24.6 million on September 24, 2025, for a new Lincoln Elementary School, a move that exceeds the original budget estimate by approximately $5 million. The decision came during a regular meeting held at Parkersburg South High School, amidst ongoing discussions about feasibility and financial planning for district projects.

Details of the Construction Bid and Budget Challenges

The contract was awarded to Grae-con Construction after the board reviewed proposals from several contractors. The approved bid represents a significant investment, notably higher than initial estimates. Ryan Taylor, CEO of Pickering Associates, which advises the district, reported that all bond projects combined are projected to surpass their original budgets by more than $6.2 million.

To offset this overage, the district plans to utilize $2.9 million in opportunity savings that were identified during planning. Despite these savings, the remaining budget shortfall is expected to range between $2 million and $3.3 million. Consequently, the district may need to allocate additional funds from its general budget to cover the remaining costs.

Available Funds and Cost Management Strategies

Superintendent Christie Willis confirmed that the district has approximately $7 million available in its capital improvement fund, which could be used to reduce the impact of the budget overrun. Further details on how the district intends to manage the financial shortfall and cost-cutting measures will be published in the upcoming edition of the News and Sentinel.

Upcoming Construction and Project Timeline

The construction process for the new Lincoln Elementary is set to proceed following the approval of the bid. Bids for the construction contracts for North Parkersburg Elementary are scheduled to open on August 28, 2025, with building work expected to commence in October. The new school will be constructed on the site of the former Lincoln Elementary, which was closed in June 2001, repurposed briefly for storage, and demolished earlier this year.

The design for North Parkersburg Elementary was presented at the August 12 board meeting. The new facility will incorporate the Lincoln lion mascot and feature a vibrant color scheme of blue and green. The interior design includes creative elements such as paint splatters on the floors that lead into classrooms, aimed at fostering an engaging learning environment. The new school will replace the aging facilities of Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools, which are slated for closure following the new school’s opening.

Once operational, the new elementary will serve students from designated boundaries set through a pending vote, which will determine attendance zones for North Parkersburg Elementary and Madison Elementary. The district’s goal is to improve educational facilities and service delivery—especially considering Madison Elementary’s planned upgrade following Lincoln’s move.

Decisions on Elementary School Facilities and Future Plans

Details regarding the future of the Criss and Emerson Elementary School buildings remain undecided. The district has yet to announce whether these facilities will be repurposed or closed permanently.

Personnel and Administrative Updates

In personnel matters, the district’s Board of Education voted 2-1 at its recent meeting not to renew the contract of Kara Small, the Special Education Director for the 2025-2026 school year. The decision followed a personnel hearing during which concerns were raised about her conduct, notably regarding alleged dishonesty related to staffing reductions and the engagement of a vendor for services exceeding $30,000.

Small defended her actions, stating she acted in urgent student interests despite not securing prior approval to engage the vendor. The board expressed concerns about compliance and safety implications of hiring personnel without proper authorization. Despite her contract non-renewal, the district president indicated Small is encouraged to apply for future positions within the district.

Other Local Updates

Additionally, Pier 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., to facilitate maintenance activities. In community events, Discovery World on Market, in partnership with Akron Children’s, will host the 2025 Worldwide Day of Play, promoting active, outdoor recreation for families and children.