For decades, Putnam County hasn't done so well scoring funds from the state School Building Authority. Putnam residents who resisted consolidating schools pitched proposals that did not meet the state's funding criteria. But now, the mood at the statehouse has changed, and Putnam County is in a good position to replace its aging community schools and get $21.7 million of state funds in the bargain.
For decades, Putnam County hasn't done well at obtaining funds from the state School Building Authority. Putnam residents who resisted consolidating schools pitched proposals that did not meet the state's funding criteria. But now, the mood at the Statehouse has changed, and Putnam County is in a good position to replace its aging community schools and get $21.7 million of state funds in the bargain.
That's what's riding on the Aug. 29 vote on a $56.75 million county bond proposal.
If the bond issue is approved by voters, Putnam can expect $21.7 million from the School Building Authority, said Putnam Schools Superintendent Chuck Hatfield. State funds would build a new Winfield Middle School.
Money raised from the bond would build new schools for Poca Middle School, Confidence Elementary and Buffalo High. It also would renovate Poca Elementary, add a gym to Winfield Elementary and build three auxiliary gyms.
But Putnam won't get the state money unless residents raise some on their own.
"That's a no-brainer," says John R. Wilson Jr., vice president of Putnam County Bank and head of a coalition of business people urging people to vote for the bond.
It would be Putnam's first school bond in 30 years. It won't come close to using up the school board's bonding capacity, Hatfield said.
"Some of our older buildings cannot meet 21st-century curriculum needs," said school board member Debbie Phillips,
For decades, Putnam County hasn't done well at obtaining funds from the state School Building Authority. Putnam residents who resisted consolidating schools pitched proposals that did not meet the state's funding criteria. But now, the mood at the Statehouse has changed, and Putnam County is in a good position to replace its aging community schools and get $21.7 million of state funds in the bargain.
That's what's riding on the Aug. 29 vote on a $56.75 million county bond proposal.
If the bond issue is approved by voters, Putnam can expect $21.7 million from the School Building Authority, said Putnam Schools Superintendent Chuck Hatfield. State funds would build a new Winfield Middle School.
Money raised from the bond would build new schools for Poca Middle School, Confidence Elementary and Buffalo High. It also would renovate Poca Elementary, add a gym to Winfield Elementary and build three auxiliary gyms.
But Putnam won't get the state money unless residents raise some on their own.
"That's a no-brainer," says John R. Wilson Jr., vice president of Putnam County Bank and head of a coalition of business people urging people to vote for the bond.
It would be Putnam's first school bond in 30 years. It won't come close to using up the school board's bonding capacity, Hatfield said.
"Some of our older buildings cannot meet 21st-century curriculum needs," said school board member Debbie Phillips,
Even if the county had all the money it needed to add computers and modern electronic white boards, the schools simply don't have enough electrical capacity to handle those tools, Hatfield said. One classroom must turn its computers off so another classroom can turn others on.
The proposed gyms are necessary to accommodate growth in participation in various sports for boys as well as girls and to accommodate more interest in physical education.
To repay the bonds, a family with a $100,000 house and a $10,000 car would pay increased property taxes of $10 a month for 15 years. That's a worst-case scenario, Wilson said. The amount could be lower, depending on timing of the bond sale. The amount each property owner pays will decrease over time.
The new construction would eliminate 30 "portable" classrooms that have been added at various locations as the county grew. They were supposed to be temporary, but some of these makeshift frame classrooms are 30 years old. They are costly to maintain and costly to move. The county would have about 20 left.
The bond proposal has collected an impressive collection of endorsements, including the Putnam Chamber of Commerce, Putnam County Development Authority, Putnam Farm Bureau, Sheriff Mark Smith, the Poca City Council and the Buffalo City Council.
All of the Kanawha Valley will enjoy the energy, employment and improved opportunities that Putnam County will generate if residents vote for this bond. We hope it passes.
Early voting begins today and continues until Aug. 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursdays, on the second floor of the old Putnam County Courthouse. For those not already registered to vote, the deadline is Monday.
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I have had kids in Putnam County schools for the past 15 years and this is definitely needed, and is right for the entire county.
Not only will it address 4 much needed schools, it will also address the remaining high schools with long overdue improvements. There is not a student in the county, if they complete their education in this county who will not benefit from this bond.
Failure to pass this bond is the equivalent of setting this counties educational system back 50 years at least.
I urge all of those who support this bond to come out and vote yes on Election Day. If you oppose this bill, sleep in.