Brooke schools undergo improvements, board sets goals

Aug 15, 2023

WELLSBURG — When Brooke County students return to school on Thursday, they will be entering buildings that have undergone repairs or improvements over the summer.

The latest of many such projects were approved on Monday by the county’s school board, which approved a series of goals outlined for the year ahead by Superintendent Jeffrey Crook.

The board agreed to hire Karras Painting of Wheeling to paint Brooke High School’s auxiliary gym, at a cost of $38,685; and Allied Plate Glass of Wheeling to replace a pair of steel doors for the school’s back gym at a cost of $14,221.

The work is among many locally funded projects undertaken by the board in recent months.

“Every school had something done,” said Mitchell.

The largest project has been the $660,000 replacement of artificial turf at Brooke Memorial Stadium, completed earlier this summer, with a close second being a new roof for Brooke Primary South (formerly Wellsburg Primary School) by Black Stone Roofing of Inwood, W.Va. for $300,000.

Steve Mitchell, the district’s director of buildings, grounds and maintenance, said plans had called for the roof work to begin in June, but the contractor wasn’t available then.

He said crews are expected to be at work through late September but for the safety of students and staff, won’t be using a crane to lift materials over the building while the school is in use.

Mitchell said the project won’t involve the roof above the gym, a newer section of the building, which still is under warranty.

He said 14 windows at Brooke Intermediate North (formerly Franklin Primary School) are being replaced at a cost of $14,950, though the work was delayed initially the discovery of asbestos in areas outside them.

Mitchell said crews soon will be striping the recently paved parking lot of Brooke Primary North at Hooverson Heights.

He noted the $35,691 project involved expanding the lot to a grassy area and adding drainage to prevent large pools of water and patches of ice from forming there.

Other work completed or ongoing at the high school includes the installation of two heating ventilation and air conditioning units for the high school’s gym, at a cost of $51,028; the $13,650 replacement of pipe and shut-off valves and the repair or replacement of ceramic tile in its kitchen.

Mitchell noted the 4 inch by 4 inch pieces of tile date to the school’s opening in 1969 and have withstood a lot of wear from the heavy equipment used in the kitchen through the years.

At a cost of $12,750, new sprinkler systems were installed in the high school, Brooke Primary South, the Bruin Bridge alternative school and Brooke Intermediate North (formerly Jefferson Primary School).

During the meeting, board member Dr. Rob Marks said he’s received compliments on improvements made at the schools, particularly recent landscaping at the high school.

Crook said the mulched areas along the school’s front walk can be attributed to volunteers and materials supplied by Williams Energy, a new business partner with the school district.

Collaborating with others to plan upgrades and improvements for existing facilities was among goals set by the school board for Crook.

Others included conducting a minimum of 10 walk-throughs and post-walk-through conferences in all schools each month; tracking students in the high school’s advanced placement courses and dual enrollment program conducted with West Virginia Northern Community College; and raising attendance and state test scores and college entrance examinations.

Crook also asked the board to consider entering into a marketing plan through which a local television station would receive funds for producing commercials promoting the school district.

He said the plan would involve a 30-day trial period, after which the board could opt out.

The proposal was tabled after board members suggested Crook explore various options and Board Member Stacy Hooper asked about a way to track such a campaign’s effectiveness.

Following the meeting, Crook confirmed the television station had approached him and he believes it could reach the families of potential new students since recent state legislation has made it easier for students to be enrolled in schools outside their own districts.

But it’s not the first time the board has sought to raise awareness of the district.

A few years ago, the board employed Mobility 360 of Weirton to create a brand image, app and website for Brooke County Schools as well as commercials that have aired during Friday night football broadcasts and at other times.

Videos promoting the high school’s various sports and career technical program and produced by students in its video production class also have been aired on YouTube and social media.

Crook said, “We want people to know Brooke County Schools have a lot to offer — Brooke Collegiate Academy, through which students can earn 15 credit hours per year from Bethany College; honors courses, career courses.”

He said there are many Brooke County residents who aren’t aware of the school district’s programs and courses.

(Scott can be contacted at [email protected].)

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