WHEELING — The West Virginia School Building Authority on Wednesday approved a $1 million request to assist Ohio County Schools in replacing the roof at Wheeling Park High School.

SBA members in Charleston consented to the $1 million “Major Improvement Project” (MIP) grant request for WPHS during a session that was chaired by Gov. Jim Justice.

The Wheeling Park High School roof project is expected to cost $4.2 million, according to information stated on the application submitted by Ohio County Schools. The school district will be responsible for providing the additional $3.2 million needed for the work.

Superintendent Kim Miller said the project “should go out to bid in the next few weeks.”

“I’m very excited about being awarded the MIP grant from the SBA,” she said. “I’m very thankful they are continuing to help us on our buildings.”

The roof project literally tops off more than $25 million in renovations at WPHS that occurred through bond work approved by county voters in 2018.

The work included construction of a large addition at the front entrance, a new music room and science classrooms, locker rooms and the transformation of the former media center into the new “Innovative Learning Center.”

It is the main part of the roof at WPHS that covers these renovated areas that will be replaced, according to David Crumm, maintenance director for Ohio County Schools.

He said the project should go out to bid in about three weeks, then the bids will have to be brought before Ohio County Board of Education members for approval.

While it would “be great” to have the roof on before the next school year starts, Crumm expects the work won’t be completed until later.

“I appreciate the SBA for its approval,” he said. “We’re looking forward to protecting the investments put in through the bond work.”