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Board approves Suncrest Middle architect, hears wide facilities update and several contract approvals
Summary
Deputy superintendent presented a multi-project facilities update including a planned Digital Innovation Center at Emtek, Morgantown High cafeteria renovation and Suncrest Middle rebuild. The board approved Williams & Schreiber Architects for Suncrest Middle and approved a set of contracts and routine actions by voice vote.
Deputy Superintendent Talarico gave the Monongalia County Board of Education a wide-ranging facilities update on Feb. 25, outlining completed work, projects under construction and planned builds that the district expects to seek architects and contractors to design and deliver.
Talarico described several active and planned projects: a safety connector at Mountain View (linking a fifth-grade building to the main building), a new build at the Emtek Center to create a Digital Innovation Center (including expanded e‑gaming, robotics, AI and cybersecurity classrooms) and a phased, multi-year renovation of the Morgantown High School cafeteria. She also described sewer-line repairs at Morgantown High and a long‑awaited new Suncrest Middle School project for which the district planned to select an architect.
Talarico said the Emtek Center expansion will initially host eighth-grade students under the state’s Discover Your Future program, with the district planning to expand offerings later. She said the district had applied to and secured School Building Authority (SBA) funding for several projects and that state support was a key part of moving the larger projects forward.
On the Suncrest Middle School item, the superintendent recommended that the board approve Williams & Schreiber Architects for the Suncrest Middle School design and construction. A board member moved and another seconded; the board approved the recommendation by voice vote. After the vote the board president said, "Motion carries," and members directed staff to proceed with the next procurement and planning steps.
The board also approved other routine contractual items by voice vote during the meeting, including authorization to proceed with a selection process for independent audits for fiscal years ending June 30, 2025–2027 (the superintendent said the district will issue an RFP and the item would follow the state auditor’s list), a contract with Absolute Assurance, and an agreement with Safe and Civil Schools. The accounts payable addendum and the consent agenda (which included expenditures over $3,000, supplements and transfers, payroll and a set of program reports and grants) were also approved by voice vote.
Board members asked timing questions, expressed support for particular projects (several members said Suncrest Middle was a top community concern) and sought more detailed timelines; deputy superintendent Talarico and other administrators said detailed project schedules and contract documents would return to the board as formal action items when required.
Near the end of the meeting the board moved into executive session to discuss superintendent goals.
