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Superintendent says district will 'pay as we go' on large school project as environmental checks continue
Summary
Superintendent Mrs. Porter told the Wetzel County Board of Education the district will fund early site work for a major school construction project from reserved funds and pay-as-you-go financing while hazardous-materials and environmental studies (bats, mussels) and pipeline relocation proceed; permitting is expected by November and dirt-moving could begin in January.
Mrs. Porter, the district superintendent, told the Wetzel County Board of Education the district is advancing a major construction project using a pay-as-you-go approach for early tasks while retaining funds for contingencies. "We're going to pay as we go for a chunk of it. We do have some money set aside," she said, describing imminent steps including hazardous-materials and asbestos testing, geotechnical core sampling by Terracon and a demolition bid package.
Why it matters: the project will require environmental work and external coordination that affects timing and cost. Porter said bat surveys and a mussel study must be completed before pipeline-related work can proceed; the district is working with contractors and pipeline companies on relocation and permitting. "The pipeline once we start that relocation process with TC Energy and Williams, it's about 45 days," Porter said, and the board was told permitting is expected by November with grading and dirt movement aimed for January.
Details and timeline: Porter said Terracon has been authorized for deeper soil drilling; asbestos inspection and a demolition package are being prepared; the VAT (mussel) study is scheduled to start in May and take two weeks, and a separate "muscle" (mussel) relocation may be required. She said the district hopes to conserve time if partner firms assist with permitting tasks they typically perform. Board members discussed temporary access arrangements across a stream and use of a back entrance while bridge work continues.
Budget and contracting: Porter described a single responsive bid for early site work and reported staff are checking whether public bidding is required. Board members (and Porter) described relying on a combination of district funds already set aside and staged payments to contractors. Porter said she has been working closely with Mr. Dodie and Craig from Thrasher on bids and project coordination.
Next steps: the district will complete required environmental and hazardous-materials testing, finalize the demolition and grading packages, and continue coordination with pipeline companies on relocation. The board received the update; no final contract awards or budget approvals were taken at this meeting.
