WV COULD SEE NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FROM STIMULUS PACKAGE

(01/30/2009)

State School Building Authority Executive Director Mark Manchin says there could be more earth moving and hammering than ever before when it comes to new school construction in West Virginia. The US House version of the stimulus bill sets aside $101 million as West Virginia's share for education building projects. The bill is now before the US Senate. Manchin says, "Some school systems are facing crisis stages as their schools age and deteriorate. So this is a great opportunity for us and the children of West Virginia." "It will allow us to construct anywhere from eight to ten additional schools that we otherwise would not," he said. "It would allow us to build three new high schools around the state, at least two new middle schools, at least five or six new elementary schools." The School Building Authority planned to spend about $100 million this year on new school construction and renovation as well as new heating and air conditioning systems. About $32 million of that is earmarked for projects in Lincoln, Mercer, Mingo and Greenbrier counties. That leaves around $68 million in funds for more than $300 million in requests, according to Manchin. Adding $100 million from the stimulus package changes everything. Manchin said there are lots of "shovel ready" projects.

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