Superintendent Dan Enich participated in a question and answer session on the School Levy. We asked the questions we thought were on the minds of our readers.
The cost of the school levy for the average taxpayer?
The cost of the levy to the average taxpayer is $3.83/month or approximately $46/year.
Does this levy replace a school levy that expires?
It does not.
Campaigns cost money and we see signs and handouts promoting the levy, does funding for those items come from a committee to pass the levy which is totally separate from any taxpayer funds?
Yes, there are no taxpayer funds used in the levy.
Can you tell us a little about the bond developmental committee?
Yes, our administrators developed the project items for the proposed levy for 11/5/24. Starting last school year, myself and other administrators went from school to school and did an assessment of need. This assessment was for safety, infrastructure, and other needs.
While school board members and the administration do not campaign for passage of the levy they are available to inform voters what the funding from the levy will do? If a club or organization would like to schedule a program, who should they contact?
Correct, our duty is to convey information about such a proposal. That can be upon request, like this interview or as a request to speak at local social/community gatherings.
Anyone interested in having a BOE member or an administrator talk to their group can call 304-564-3411. They can give their information to any associate and we will get back to them with the information that they are requesting.
One of the most discussed issues is why the school board is not suing to recoup the repair of Oak Glen Middle on the pyrite issue. OGMS was built in 20005, when was the issue with the pyrite discovered and was it reported immediately?
This was the first thing that I checked into. Through legal counsel, it was determined that the issue occurred well after the statute of limitations/repose had expired. The building opened in 2004-05. The problem was identified in 2021. The statute of limitations is 10 years on such a project.
What is the Statute of Limitations for the project?
10 years
Is the Board investigating if any action is possible to recoup repair dollars on the pyrite.
Yes…please see #6. That has already been done.
The levy will fund additional security for the schools. Can you tell me what they are?
Please see #11, #12, and #13.
How was the need for each item on the list determined (I think I remember you saying a walkthrough of every school was performed (and I’d stress Gerard’s input)
Through a needs assessment that was developed over the course of last year and throughout this school year. Security-wise, We had input from PROs, Officer Spencer, all principals, assistant principals, nurses, our maintenance director, tech director McKinney, directors, teachers, tech contact Arnott, Assistant Superintendent Smith, and myself. There was a walkthrough of all schools, facilities, outlying areas, and infrastructure. The other element was through research through trainings, law enforcement, and experience. Access points, access roads, vestibules, cameras, and current national and local issues that prompt attention to safety resources and how the school system is currently equipped, were considered.
Why is the new access road at Weir Elementary necessary?
Weirton Elementary School is one of the largest elementary schools in the state of WV, if not the largest. On a daily basis, close to 900 people go in and out of the facility. This happens twice a day, with other traffic during the school day….not to mention, heavily attended in-day and after-school activities. The exit/entrance sits right on top of an elevated area that hides on-coming traffic from the left. Numerous police officers have told me over the years that there have been numerous close calls of them getting hit and buses almost getting hit. That is with them being there and with flashing warning lights. The location is the issue. As I was attending beginning of the year bus duty, I was listening to the radio transmission when an officer had a close call with a vehicle. So, the traffic includes students, visitors, parents, and staff. To accommodate this private vehicle, bus, and in-person traffic in and out of the facility, it entails a very specific pattern of activity. Regardless of the accuracy of the plan (WES administration is very organized), the one outlet, and its location has been problematic since day one. The construction of a second outlet/entrance would be at the lower (downhill side) of the property. The double outlet would expedite the entrance and exit of vehicles and alleviate the blind area at the top of the property.
The secondary issue is the one outlet itself. In the event of an emergency or evacuation issue. One exit/entrance would be a bottleneck that would be very problematic for ER vehicles, police, or authorities to enter/exit. There is a natural break in the sidewalk cement at the lower end, where a planned exit was intended. That never happened. In summary, a second entrance/exit would enhance safety going in and out of the largest school in Hancock County. All other schools have at least 2 avenues of egress.
What action will be taken to make safe playgrounds at the elementary schools (new equipment?)
The playgrounds at the 3 elementary schools will be equipped with the soft-landing areas around the equipment. There will be new equipment added to the playgrounds, but the safety factors will be the softer, turf landing areas and the fencing around the playground areas.
Can you tell us what other improvements to the schools are included.
Weapon detectors for all schools, the pyrite remediation for OGMS, cell phone communication upgrades, visitor ID system at all schools, panic buttons in classrooms and on phone apps, vestibule updates with secure entrances, security lighting and fencing, guardrails, fire alarm systems, new and additional camera for security, safe playgrounds at all 3 elementary schools, new access/exit road to Weirton Elementary School, school audio upgrades, theatre improvements, roofing repairs, HVAC upgrades, elevator upgrades, asphalt for parking lots and the transportation garage, and signage.
Some of the camera security features would be: 911 center and law enforcement connectivity, real time camera capability to law enforcement if a threat is identified, the panic button aspects, blurring of camera feeds for confidentiality, workplace guest tablets, intercom system, student search system, floor plan implementation into camera system for all schools, tracking by features, vehicle identification and tracking, ID by photograph, facial recognition that is associated with law enforcement data banks (ex: sex offenders), and lock down features. These features would be cloud related and enable schools to not have to add additional hardware.
There has been some confusion regarding the ball field items being funded through the levy. Can you clarify?
The items that are involved in the levy are the cement work in the plaza of the new OGHS SB/BB fields along with the masonry parts of both press boxes.
There was a time when parents’ top priority for the school was to simply educate their kids. Now keeping their kids safe from harm has become a top priority. Does the levy enhance the school’s ability to do so?
Yes, the levy that is on the ballot for 11/5, 2024 is predominantly safety oriented. The elements of the project items will enhance student, staff, and visitor safety. I hope this informational question and answer will pass along the needed information to the public.
