SCOTT DEPOT, W.Va. -- All schools in Putnam County had power restored by Monday, and maintenance workers will further examine the extent of damage to county schools Tuesday after damaging storms, Assistant Superintendent of Facilities Brad Hodges told school board members.
Friday's massive storm, which left hundreds of thousands across the state without power and still about 13,000 in Putnam with no electricity Monday, damaged several county schools.
Several broken windows were reported at Winfield Middle School and a rooftop HVAC unit at Poca Middle School was knocked over, Hodges said after a board meeting held at Scott Teays Elementary, because power was out at the central office in Winfield. An awning at West Teays Elementary School had also been blown off, he said.
"[Tuesday] we'll go around to different schools and assess damage and check the freezers," Hodges said.
School board officials had canceled all the county's summer programs, but said everything would be open Tuesday.
Also at the meeting, board members Sam Sentelle and Jack Coyner, who ran unopposed in May's primary election, were sworn in for their third four-year terms on the board.
William "Bill" Legg, who has served on the board for 10 years, was voted to serve as president, replacing Craig Spicer.
Sam Sentelle, a retired superintendent in the county, was named vice president.
Legg said after the meeting that he wanted board members to discuss the practicality of having year-round schools in Putnam and having schools put more of an emphasis on the fine arts.
In other business, board members approved a bid for a little more than $2 million with Hayslett Construction to install six additional classrooms, restrooms and a sprinkler system at Conner Street Elementary. The bid must be approved by the state School Building Authority.
Upon completion, "this is the very last of the portables," Sentelle reminded board members.
Last year, the School Building Authority agreed to help fund the upgrade at Conner Street that would eliminate the last six portable classrooms in use in the county.
Ten years ago, the county was forced to use 86 portable classrooms, said Superintendent Chuck Hatfield.
Reach Kate White at kate.wh...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1723.


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