Wood County Board Approves New Lincoln Elementary School

Parkersburg, September 24, 2025

News Summary

The Wood County Board of Education has granted a $24.6 million bid to Grae-con Construction for a new Lincoln Elementary School. Despite exceeding the initial budget by $5 million, the district plans to allocate funds from its budget to cover the gap. Construction of the North Parkersburg Elementary School is also underway, aiming to enhance educational facilities in the area. The district continues to navigate financial challenges while focusing on future educational improvements.

Parkersburg – The Wood County Board of Education has approved a significant investment in its educational infrastructure, awarding a $24.6 million bid to Grae-con Construction for the construction of a new Lincoln Elementary School. This decision was made during a regular meeting on September 24, 2025, despite the bid surpassing the original budget projection by approximately $5 million.

Superintendent Christie Willis acknowledged the budget overage, indicating that the district may have to allocate up to $3.3 million from its general budget to bridge the gap. Ryan Taylor, CEO of Pickering Associates, revealed that the total forecast for all bond projects is now anticipated to exceed $6.2 million. However, with proposed savings of $2.9 million, the actual budget shortfall could be narrowed down to between $2 million and $3.3 million.

The board discussed possible financial adjustments, including the potential use of $7 million available in the capital improvement fund to help offset this budget excess. Further details regarding cost-cutting measures and budget management will be set to appear in upcoming reports.

Future Planning and Educational Improvements

In tandem with the new Lincoln Elementary School project, the Board previously discussed designs for the new North Parkersburg Elementary School, presented by Pickering Associates on August 12. The North Parkersburg Elementary will be constructed on the site of the former Lincoln Elementary School, which was permanently closed in June 2001 and redeveloped for storage before its demolition earlier this year.

The color scheme for the new North Parkersburg Elementary will incorporate blue and green, promoting a vibrant educational environment. The design also includes playful elements like paint splatters on the floors, which will guide students into classrooms.

Construction bids for North Parkersburg Elementary are slated to open on August 28, with construction expected to kick off in October. Once the new school opens, Emerson and Criss Elementary Schools will be closed, requiring a boundary line vote to determine student attendance zones for the new North Parkersburg Elementary and Madison Elementary.

Personnel Updates and District Developments

In other board news, the Wood County Board of Education voted not to renew the contract of Special Education Director Kara Small for the 2025-2026 school year following a personnel hearing. The administration has cited various reasons for this decision, including accusations of dishonesty regarding a reduction in force and unauthorized engagement of a vendor for services exceeding $30,000.

Despite her contract not being renewed, President Justin Raber indicated that Small is welcome to apply for other positions within the district.

Additionally, there will be a temporary closure on Pond Creek Road at milepost 1.55 on Thursday, September 25, impacting traffic from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This closure is expected to facilitate infrastructure improvements in the area.

Conclusion

Overall, the Wood County Board of Education continues to explore ways to improve educational facilities while managing budgetary challenges effectively. With the construction of both the new Lincoln and North Parkersburg Elementary Schools set to enhance the educational landscape, the district’s focus remains on providing quality education and facilities for its students.

FAQ Section

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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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