News Summary
The Wood County Board of Education has approved a $24.6 million bid for a new Lincoln Elementary School, surpassing the original budget. This decision reflects ongoing efforts to address infrastructure needs in the district. The school will be built on the site of the old facility, which was closed and demolished. The board is also planning a new North Parkersburg Elementary School and managing student assignments. In personnel news, the contract for the Special Education Director was not renewed amid compliance concerns. Budget constraints and infrastructure improvements remain a priority for the district.
Parkersburg, West Virginia – In a significant decision at their recent meeting, the Wood County Board of Education has approved a $24.6 million bid for the construction of a new Lincoln Elementary School. This bid, awarded to Grae-con Construction, comes in approximately $5 million over the original budget projection.
The board’s meeting, held on September 24, 2025, also revealed that the overall cost for all bond projects is expected to exceed $6.2 million. To address the budget overage, the school district is projected to find up to $3.3 million from its general budget. However, Superintendent Christie Willis noted that $7 million currently available in the capital improvement fund could help subsidize this financial gap.
The board’s decision follows the closure of the old Lincoln Elementary School in June 2001. The former building was repurposed for storage and ultimately demolished earlier this year. The new Lincoln Elementary will be located on the same site and aims to embody the spirit and mascot of its predecessor, emphasizing continuity and community identity.
In an effort to optimize costs, the district has proposed $2.9 million in opportunity savings, which would potentially reduce the budget shortfall to between $2 million and $3.3 million. Details regarding the district’s proposed cost-cutting measures are expected to be shared in an upcoming edition of the local news.
In addition to the new Lincoln Elementary project, the board is concurrently advancing plans for a new North Parkersburg Elementary School. Designs for this new facility, presented by Pickering Associates, include colorful interiors with various hues designated for different grade levels. The design also features playful artistic elements, such as paint splatters on the floor leading into classrooms, aimed at fostering a creative learning environment.
While plans for North Parkersburg Elementary progress, the board is also navigating logistical decisions regarding student assignments. A boundary line vote will determine which students will attend North Parkersburg Elementary and which will continue at Madison Elementary once the new facility opens. Furthermore, the board indicated that following the completion of the new Lincoln Elementary, Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools would close.
Bids for the construction contracts of North Parkersburg Elementary were set to open on August 28, with actual construction anticipated to begin in October. However, no decisions have yet been made regarding the future of the existing Criss and Emerson Elementary buildings.
In personnel matters, the board also voted not to renew the contract of Special Education Director Kara Small for the 2025-2026 school year after a personnel hearing. The decision stemmed from concerns regarding alleged dishonesty related to a reduction in force and unauthorized engagement of a vendor without approval for over $30,000 in services. While Small defended her actions as following necessary protocols for urgent student needs, board members cited safety and compliance risks from employing unapproved personnel. Despite the contract’s non-renewal, the board’s president indicated that Small is invited to apply for other positions within the district.
Additionally, residents were informed about upcoming road closures; Pond Creek Road at milepost 1.55 in Wood County will be closed on Thursday, September 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Furthermore, Discovery World on Market, in collaboration with Akron Children’s, is preparing to host the 2025 Worldwide Day of Play, engaging the community in various recreational activities.
The recent actions by the Wood County Board of Education reflect ongoing efforts to address infrastructure needs while managing budget constraints and personnel decisions. This marks a critical time for the district as it endeavors to improve educational facilities and adapt to the changing needs of its student population.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Vallejo School District Faces Potential Closures Amid Financial Struggles
West Virginia Faces Declining Public School Enrollment
Evanston District 65 Faces Financial Crisis and School Closures
Vallejo School District Considers School Closures Amid Challenges
Garfield Re-2 School District Delays Start of School Year
Major Road Closures Begin in Palm Beach County for Train Track Repairs
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
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
