School draws ‘passionate’ audience
By BETTY J. POKAS, Times Leader Area EditorSWITZERLAND of Local School District officials today were beginning to expedite the finding of "a qualified professional" to check about the former Woodsfield High School so work can be done as quickly as possible.
"We are going to start making telephone calls today (about this matter)," said Superintendent Larry Elliott this morning.
More than 200 persons attended a school board meeting Thursday night when the former high school was discussed, and it was necessary to move the session from the board office to Woodsfield Elementary School.
Elliott described those attending as "a very passionate crowd - all concerned about the welfare of the kids."
The former high school, which had been used for extracurricular activities for Monroe Central students, was closed Monday because of 12 fire code violations.
Board members Thursday directed the administration to make the necessary repairs to bring the old Woodsfield High School up to code and to hire a qualified professional to direct the repairs needed. Elliott said the repairs are to be to the entire building, not just a portion.
The meeting, according to the superintendent," went well with lots of public participation. A lot of sentiment towards the old building was expressed."
Woodsfield High School was attended by generations of Monroe Countians. Built during the World War I era, it also included a gym constructed in 1936.
Elliott also pointed out there was a lot of frustration "because the students and children have done without quality facilities for the last 15 years.
"Temporary closing of the old high school to make necessary repairs has forced ... even greater inconvenience on the students and the families. I think this underscores the need for the building project which voters will consider in May."
School officials expect to use the current facilities including the old high school for the next three to four years at a minimum with successful passage of the levy.
Varied extracurricular activities which had been held in the former high school are being moved to other buildings in that area.
When listing the fire code violations, the state fire marshal's representative told school officials that there were "many life safety issues that are code violations and may be a hazard to occupants" and the liability was their responsibility if the building "is used knowing these issues exist.
Elliott said follow-up fire inspections are expected soon at Beallsville High School and Powhatan Elementary School where corrections were needed. Work needed at Beallsville High was completed in 15 days, and it was not the same items as those listed for former Woodsfield High School and extent of the Woodsfield problems is greater.
Work at Powhatan is near completion.
Pokas can be reached at timesleader@timesleaderonline.com.
|
SphinxRising58
|
|
|---|---|
|
11-23-08 1:24 PM
|
Just goes to show you the type opf people we are forced to trust with our children's safety, as if they was not keeping the building up to code with the funds mandated for such, what happened with the funds, and why did they keep students attenting an unsafe building ?
|