The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Front Page

April 27, 2010

Marsh Fork school project in jeopardy

By Michelle James Register-Herald Reporter

Although Raleigh County school officials had high hopes of receiving state funding for a new Marsh Fork Elementary School, the state School Building Authority announced Monday that, while it would help with the project, it would only pledge $2.64 million, nearly $4 million short of what was requested.

“I’m really disappointed for the kids, the community and for everyone involved,” said Raleigh County Schools Superintendent Dr. Charlotte Hutchens.

Going into Monday, the general consensus from county school officials and the community at large was that the SBA would grant the county’s request for assistance in funding the approximately $8 million project.

The county school board had already pledged $1 million itself as had Massey Energy, which operates a coal silo and a slurry impoundment in close proximity to the 70-year-old school. Additionally, an environmental organization, Coal River Mountain Watch had raised $10,400 to contribute to the construction.

“We had a very good basis for a new school at Marsh Fork,” said Raleigh County School Board President Richard Snuffer. “Everything looked so positive. For the first time in state history, a private industry, Massey, pledged $1 million, the community raised every bit of money it could and we (local system) pledged money.”

Snuffer said the diminished funding was a “smack in the face” to a community reeling from the April 5 explosion that claimed 29 lives at the Upper Big Branch Mine just minutes from the school.

“It’s heartbreaking, really,” Snuffer said. “The school building authority had their reasoning, but I look at other projects they funded and there’s not another place in the state of West Virginia that deserves and needs a new school more than Marsh Fork.

“They (Marsh Fork residents) needed something positive to look forward to and this is a great setback.”

However, Dr. Mark Manchin, executive director of the SBA, said all of the county’s that received funding Monday are deserving.

“We certainly recognize the difficulties facing the area,” Manchin said. “We did give $2.6 million so it’s not that we don’t think it was worthy but there are a lot of projects. There are a lot of requests for projects and a lot of people put their hearts and souls into these projects and it’s a very difficult process for authority members to decide.”

Manchin said Monday’s decision is not the final word on the matter as he will now meet with the county to determine if there are any other viable outside funding sources.

“I’ll be working with them to see if there’s alternative funding, maybe (more from) Massey or maybe somebody else,” he said.

Manchin said he will report back to SBA members regarding that effort on June 14.

“At the meeting, it’s conceivable that the authority could discuss (the project) and put additional funding in, either the remaining amount or a portion, or decide not to fund it at all,” he said.

Snuffer said he his hopeful that the SBA will decide to fund the entire project, but also plans to write Gov. Joe Manchin, the state legislature and seek support from anyone and everyone.

“I won’t give up,”  he said. “I’m heartbroken and disappointed in the SBA’s decision today, but the fight is not over,” he said. “We will continue to explore every avenue possible to fund a new school for Marsh Fork.

— E-mail: mjames@register-herald.com

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