It’s been asked “why is the Board of Education having another bond election?”  The answer is simple—the need did not go away and the children of Mineral County are no less important.
It’s about the kids!!  It’s not about the Board of Education or its Superintendent.  The children of Mineral County deserve an equal opportunity to a quality education the same as the children in the other 54 counties in West Virginia.  Many of our buildings are old and do not provide the space necessary or required by the School Building Authority (SBA) or West Virginia Depart of Education Policy 6200. 
Although our buildings are well-maintained, most are inadequate and do not provide the space necessary to thoroughly and efficiently educate our children.
I recently completed a study of facilities in Mineral County, comparing our current facilities with the requirements of the School Building Authority as revised in June 2007.  In many cases the facts are staggering.  Burlington Primary School was originally constructed in 1938, with additions added in 1975 and 2007.  The school now has 10,804 square feet (sq. ft.) but by SBA standards it should have 22,496 sq. ft.  This is just one example of the need we face in regards to having adequate space for our children.  The following chart shows the status of each school:
(Includes all additions)       
2007-2008       
Comparison of Required SBA sq. ft. based on 2008-2009
2nd month enrollment
School / Original Construction Date / Total Square Feet
Burlington Primary         1938        10,804 sq. ft.        152        22,496 sq. ft.
(-11,692 sq. ft.)
Elk Garden Primary        1939        39,898 sq. ft.          94        13,912 sq. ft.
(+25,986 sq. ft.)
Fort Ashby Primary        1953        16,379 sq. ft.        244        34,648 sq. ft.
(-18,269 sq. ft.)
Fountain Primary            1947        13,795 sq. ft.        174        25,752 sq. ft.
(-11,957 sq. ft.)
Frankfort Intermediate    1940.       31,892 sq. ft.       315        40,005 sq. ft.
(-8,113 sq. ft.)
Keyser Head Start           1955.         8,044 sq. ft.         91        13,468 sq. ft.
(-5,424 sq. ft.)
New Creek Primary        1964        15,734 sq. ft.       152        22,496 sq. ft.
(-6,762 sq. ft.)
Wiley Ford Primary        1953        13,194 sq. ft.       181        26,788 sq. ft.
(-13,594 sq. ft.)
Frankfort Middle            1993         87,200 sq. ft.      529        78,821 sq. ft.
(+8,379 sq. ft.)
Keyser Primary/Middle  1976         98,850 sq. ft.    1198        142,012 sq. ft.
(-43,162 sq. ft.)
Frankfort High                1976         89,848 sq. ft.      641        136,533 sq. ft.
(-46,685 sq. ft.)
Keyser High                    1998       145,000 sq. ft.      806        141,050 sq. ft.
(+3,950 sq. ft.)

A simple look at this chart shows that our schools do not meet the requirements of the School Building Authority.  It’s not just the opinion of the Superintendent or the Board of Education. 
We all can see that our current school facilities are not adequate to support learning in the 21st century and we do not have room for the increasing student population resulting from the increasing population in Mineral County.
During the past couple of school years, several of the annual reports from Local School Improvement Councils, made up parents, community members, and educators from each of Mineral County’s schools,  to the Board kept reiterating the need for space—it seemed that what we thought would happen just a couple of years earlier, was indeed occurring.  We were seeing the school-age population increase, especially in our primary schools.
The Mineral County Board of Education has voted to keep all primary schools open. 
This means that our youngest children will be able to attend primary school in their home community through grade 4.
State laws in West Virginia limit the number of students in classrooms in grades Pre-K through six.  In the school year 2006-2007, we “had room” for only two additional primary-aged students in the Frankfort district.  In fact, one 2nd grade classroom at Fort Ashby Primary School had 35 students with two teachers in the room. 
We certainly had the financial base to employ the “extra” teacher when the influx of students occurred, but we had no classroom space for the teacher.  We simply had to use a regular classroom and assign two teachers to teach in it. 
This worked because the two teachers were dedicated enough to go the extra mile to make it work.
Was it the best situation for the students?  Emphatically, “NO!”  Also, in the Frankfort district, as well as in the Keyser district, we had students being bussed from one school to another because of space limitations.
This year we have moved the Pre-Kindergarten students from their “normally assigned location” at Fort Ashby Primary School to Frankfort Intermediate School where we have divided classrooms in order to make adequate space for the students.  Our classrooms are at capacity throughout the county.
For years, people in the Keyser area have been saying that the current Keyser Primary/Middle School is too crowded.  One visit to the school and you would agree.  If you are a former student of that school you know how over crowded it is.  This school has nearly 1200 students, grades K-8, under one roof. 
This school was originally built as an “open concept” school more than 30 years ago.  Since that time walls have been installed to create classrooms, most of which are inadequate for the number of students in the school.  The teachers who have taught in these conditions have been phenomenal.
The simple fact is WE NEED MORE SPACE and instructional space that is suitable for teaching and learning in the 21st century. 
The proposal in this bond issue addresses basic facility needs, not wants or desires.  It addresses specifically the need for classroom space at several of the county’s primary schools.  There is nothing in the bond call that provides for additional athletic facilities at either high school.  This bond call is about providing adequate instructional space for our children and grandchildren.
The Mineral County school system was established in 1889.  Since then we have been planning for the future of Mineral County and Mineral County Schools.  WE MUST NOW “DECIDE THE FUTURE” of Mineral County and Mineral County Schools.  Passage of the bond will allow for additional funds to be provided by the School Building Authority of West Virginia (SBA) and local dollars from the Mineral County Board of Education.  Total cost of the improvements is $25,400,000. 
The bond will provide $15.8 million, SBA-$9,000,000, and $600,000 from local the Board of Education.
The bond election is Tuesday, May 13, 2008, the Primary Election.  Voters will vote at their regular precincts.  I urge you to vote “FOR THE PROPOSITION” and FOR THE CHILDREN OF MINERAL COUNTY.