BECKLEY — Marsh Fork stands about $4 million shy of getting a new grade school to get students out of the shadows of a huge coal silo and massive slurry pond, but Sen. Mike Green says it’s time to put aside negative feelings and move forward with confidence.
This week, the School Building Authority agreed to put up $2.6 million, adding to $1 million offered by both the Raleigh County board of education, and Massey Energy, owner of a silo and coal waste pond close to the school.
“I’m disappointed in some of the reactions we’ve had from some people,” Green, D-Raleigh, said Wednesday.
“I know $2.6 million is not what we wanted. But at the end of the day, it’s not the end of the story. We have until June to find additional funding. I think there’s still hope out there for the school. I just think taking a confrontational approach is no way to get things done.”
Green has been working with Gov. Joe Manchin and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan, to explore all ways of lassoing more cash for the proposed school, but acknowledged there is no guarantee of getting it, either from government or private sources.
“I don’t look at $2.6 million as a disappointment,” Green said.
“I look at it as another step toward the ultimate goal. When I first got involved six months ago, Marsh Fork wasn’t even on the radar at SBA. Call me optimistic, I guess. I just think we’re one step closer. We’ve got roughly six weeks to find something. I feel confident at the end of the day, we’ll have that additional funding.
“At that time, if we don’t, I’ll be the first to stand up and say how disappointed we are and maybe we weren’t given a fair shake.”
In Tuesday night’s school board meeting, President Richard Snuffer II told The Register-Herald he expects a major breakthrough by the end of this week, or the start of next. Without elaborating, he suggested the additional $4 million needed could be in the offing.
Green appealed to all parties involved at the local level not to be confrontational with the SBA.
“In my short time here, I’ve learned the adversarial approach usually at the end of the day doesn’t work,” the senator said.
“We’ve got $4.6 million. We’re halfway there. We don’t have a definite answer right now where and if the additional funding is going to come.”
Green said he understands the frustration of the school board but said a number of sources for the additional $4 million are under the microscope, and many are looking.
With the deaths of 29 miners in an April 5 explosion at a coal mine near the school, Green said the Marsh Fork Elementary students have faced additional pressure. At one point, while on spring break, the students saw the school being utilized as the hub for a swarm of media, both state and national.
“It was almost like the kids were on display for some ulterior motive or some national media intent to vilify the coal industry in West Virginia,” he said.
“It’s an old building. There are structural issues, in addition to safety hazards that may be involved. I just think it’s best for everyone involved, students especially, to get a modern facility for those kids down there.”
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
