Parkersburg, September 24, 2025
News Summary
The Wood County Board of Education has approved a $24.6 million bid for the new Lincoln Elementary School by Grae-con Construction. Although the bid exceeds the budget by $5 million, the district has access to $7 million in capital funds to mitigate the costs. The plans include the construction of North Parkersburg Elementary, set to open in October, which will eventually lead to the closure of Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools. The board’s decision reflects ongoing efforts to modernize educational facilities amid budget challenges.
Parkersburg — The Wood County Board of Education has approved a $24.6 million bid for the construction of a new Lincoln Elementary School from Grae-con Construction. This approval comes despite the bid exceeding the original budget projection by approximately $5 million.
The superintendent of Wood County Schools, Christie Willis, indicated that the district has access to $7 million in a capital improvement fund, which could partially alleviate the budget overage. The forecast for all bond projects is expected to exceed $6.2 million according to Ryan Taylor, CEO of Pickering Associates, and with new opportunity savings estimated at $2.9 million, the budget gap may be reduced to between $2 million to $3.3 million. Consequently, the district will have to find up to $3.3 million in their general budget to cover any remaining shortfall.
Details regarding the board’s cost-cutting measures will be available in an upcoming edition of a local publication. In addition to construction plans, the closing of Pond Creek Road on September 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for maintenance has been announced.
New North Parkersburg Elementary School
The new Lincoln Elementary School will be built on the site of the former Lincoln Elementary, which closed in June 2001 and was demolished earlier this year. The board has also been reviewing designs for the new North Parkersburg Elementary School, featuring a creative atmosphere with paint splatters guiding students to their classrooms. The colors designated for the new school will be blue and green, with different color schemes for each grade level.
The new school serves to replace the aging facilities of Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools, which will be closed once North Parkersburg Elementary is operational. A boundary line vote will determine which students will attend North Parkersburg Elementary and Madison Elementary. This new infrastructure is part of the district’s effort to enhance educational facilities for the local student population.
Construction Timeline
Construction contracts for the North Parkersburg Elementary are set to open on August 28, with work expected to begin in October. There have been no decisions yet made regarding the future of the old Emerson and Criss Elementary School buildings.
Board of Education Personnel Changes
During the September 24 meeting, the board also voted 2-1 to not renew the contract of Special Education Director Kara Small for the 2025-2026 school year. Reasons cited for the non-renewal included allegations of dishonesty regarding staff reductions and the unauthorized hiring of vendors for services amounting to over $30,000. Despite the circumstances, Small defended her actions as being in the best interest of serving students in urgent need. Board members expressed concerns regarding compliance and safety related to hiring unapproved personnel. Small is permitted to apply for other positions within the district despite her contract not being renewed.
Background Information
The approval of the new Lincoln Elementary School is part of a broader initiative by the Wood County Board of Education to modernize education facilities across the district and meet the needs of students. The ongoing construction projects will be pivotal in transitioning students into better learning environments while addressing budget constraints and financial planning for future operational needs.
Conclusion
As construction begins and plans solidify, the Wood County Board of Education remains committed to improving educational infrastructure while navigating financial challenges linked to recent budget overages.
FAQ
What is the total cost of the new Lincoln Elementary School?
The total approved bid for the construction of the new Lincoln Elementary is $24.6 million.
Who won the contract for construction?
The contract for the construction of the new Lincoln Elementary has been awarded to Grae-con Construction.
How much over budget is the new Lincoln Elementary School project?
The bid is approximately $5 million over the original budget projection.
What savings are anticipated to reduce the budget overage?
Opportunity savings estimated at $2.9 million are expected to reduce the budget overage to between $2 million and $3.3 million.
What will happen to Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools?
Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools will close once the new North Parkersburg Elementary is operational.
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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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