CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The Cabell County Board of Education on Tuesday evening approved a construction contract for the new Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning and Careers, an upgrade from the current Cabell County Career and Technical Center.
The contract with Neighborgall Construction is valued at $48,215,000 and would be located at the site of the former Sears at Huntington Mall.
The funding comes from Bond Proceeds and General Current Expense Fund.
“Making sure that we have a career and technical education center that’s meeting the 21st century job demands and preparing our students with necessary skills. It’s taking our career and technical education program and catapulting it to the 21st century and being able to provide phenomenal workforce programing for both high school students and adult learners,” Cabell County Schools Superintendent Dr. Ryan Saxe said.
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Funding does not come from West Virginia’s School Building Authority. Saxe said that is because only one project from a school district can be put up per year for funding and in 2021, Cabell County Schools presented the new Meadows Elementary for funding.
Saxe said Neighborgall’s bid was the lowest of four offered for construction.
“As it relates to construction projects, is projects coming in 35 to 45%, over projected costs from 2020, and this is a statewide trend. This is not just in Cabell County,” Saxe said. “Leveraging School Building Authority dollars, general fund dollars to make sure that these projects are done, and that we’re keeping our commitment to the taxpayers is a priority that the school board and this administration has.”
The current Vo-Tech Center is located in the 1000 block of Norway Avenue in Huntington.
The board’s decision Tuesday comes on the heels of a decision in early August to approve funding cuts in their excess levy that will be on the ballot in May 2024. Proposed cuts would affect the Cabell County Public Library system and the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District.
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Cabell School Board approves nearly $48M contract for new Career and Technical Center(WSAZ/Kimberly Donahue)
Some taxpayers addressed the board with their concerns about the cost.
“I understand about inflation. I mean, I buy things, too, when I see how much more money it costs, but this is [the board’s] responsibility and you have to be even-handed. I don’t expect that they have the money to give libraries and parks to send that they have,” Maxine Yaged said. “Anything that will enhance education. give people more options is, is great, if the old Technical Center is not adequate. This is a, it’s a great place, it’s an empty space. It’s just the cost of everything is worse.”
“I think that it’s really important that as we reflect upon our commitments to making sure that we are keeping our commitment to the 2020 bond school construction bond, and that as we prioritize these projects, that we’re making sure that we’re not sacrificing the educational needs of our students, and that we’re continuing to put our schools and our students first and the decisions that we’re making,” Saxe said.
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Bill Woodrum, senior program officer at the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, delivered keynote remarks and Judy Moore, executive director of the WV Hive and deputy director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, presented awards to 12 entrepreneurs and partners during the annual West Virginia Hive Open House and Awards Ceremony on Dec. 13.
Manuel Furmento, a civil engineering student from Uruguay, was awarded for his invention of the SkyMounts television stand and securing a provisional patent for his idea.
He assembled a team, including his brother, and went to work laying the foundation for a working prototype and a company to sell the product.
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“Entrepreneurship and small business development are the lifeblood of our communities,” Woodrum said. “The WV Hive plays a critical role in fostering innovation, providing support and empowering individuals to pursue their dreams. The entrepreneurs and partners recognized today exemplify the resilience and ingenuity that drive economic progress in West Virginia.”
Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior WriterDec 19, 2024, 10:18 PM ET
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College football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.
West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene, who finished his college career Wednesday in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, is headed to the NFL draft as a wide receiver.
Greene noted the position change in his NFL draft announcement Thursday night on social media. He started the past two seasons at quarterback for West Virginia and finished his career with 5,370 passing yards, 36 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions.
The 5-foot-11, 201-pound Greene showcased his mobility as a quarterback with 2,136 career rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 352 carries. He caught four passes during the 2022 season, when he primarily backed up J.T. Daniels.
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Greene had 328 passing yards, 95 rushing yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing score in Wednesday’s 42-37 loss to Memphis in Frisco, Texas.
“I look forward to this next chapter in my career and the opportunity to continue playing the game I love at the next level,” Greene wrote on social media.
Patrick Martin, 31, of Jane Lew is set to be the West Virginia Senate’s youngest majority leader.
The incoming Senate president, Randy Smith of Preston County, has announced that Martin will be his wingman.
“Patrick is a bright and talented individual. I have said for a while that he is the hidden gem in our chamber and everyone is about to find out how gifted this young man is,” Smith said in the announcement.
“I have full confidence that he will no doubt be one of the most effective majority leaders in our state’s history.”
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While Smith will typically preside over floor sessions from a dais, the majority leader regularly makes procedural motions. The majority leader also plays a big role on the Senate’s leadership team and promotes the majority party’s agenda.
Patrick Martin
Martin, R-Lewis, was elected to the Senate in 2020 and was re-elected this year, when he was unopposed in both the primary and the general. He served in the House of Delegates starting in 2017.
The Senate leadership is changing because the current president, Craig Blair of Berkeley County, was defeated in a primary election. So Blair is set to leave.
The Republican majority in the Senate met earlier this month and selected Smith to be the next president. He defeated two members of the outgoing leadership team, senators Tom Takubo and Eric Tarr.
Randy Smith
Smith is now in line to be formally nominated and elected as president when the Senate gathers Jan. 8 for an organizational session.
Smith is likely to make significant changes across the leadership roles and committee chairs. Martin is the first that he has publicly announced.
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“I am honored to serve under Randy Smith as he becomes Senate President and excited to work alongside all my colleagues in the Senate,” Senator Martin stated.
“Randy is a Godly man whose dedication to faith, family, and the people of West Virginia sets a strong example for us all. As the youngest Majority Leader in West Virginia Senate history, I’m eager to bring fresh energy to our work and help guide our state toward a brighter future.”
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