dereksbicycles
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Apparently, that school is a historical spot in WV. It seems like not every historical buildings will get help from state to renovate. I recall that Wrigley Field in Chicago got help to renovate their building. It seems like this WV school will not be getting any help.
It's hard decision. Spend money to renovate? Just start from scratch or send deaf/HOH kids to their local schools?
WV MetroNews – School for deaf and blind receives scrutiny
There’s usually not much news about the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. The institution that provides an education for deaf and blind children sits quietly in Romney on a sprawling campus with 16 major buildings on 79 acres.
But the long-standing school—it was established in 1870—is making headlines these days. And, as usual, it’s about the money.
A number of the historic buildings at the school are in bad shape. Certain areas are cordoned off with yellow construction tape. By some estimates, it would take at least $60 million dollars, or nearly five times the schools’ annual budget, to make all the necessary repairs.
Earlier this month, school Superintendent Lynn Boyer asked the state Board of Education, which oversees the school, for several million dollars to get the repairs started.
The board, rather than just handing over the money, started asking questions.
Is it worth spending $60 million on the old buildings? Would it be more economical to build a new facility that’s more centrally located? Are there better ways to educate the 120 deaf and blind students in their own communities?
That triggered a dust-up. The Hampshire Review newspaper posted an online story this week under a “Breaking News” headline. The mere possibility that the school, which is one of the largest employers in Hampshire County, might move sent shockwaves through the community.
The fears are somewhat premature.
“There’s no race to close the place,” a Tomblin administration official told me. “It would be a big loss to Romney.”
However, the responsibility falls to Superintendent Boyer to come back to the State Board at its next meeting and justify spending millions of dollars to refurbish the place. And this comes at a time when state government is looking for ways to save money, not spend more.
It’s worth noting, however, that the responsibility for providing for the school, and having it in Romney, is in the state code. Chapter 18, Article 8, Section 10 spells out the state’s responsibility for compulsory education of the deaf and blind, and even specifies that parents “shall be required to send such minor to the West Virginia schools for the deaf and blind at Romney (emphasis added).
It’s fair and responsible for the School Board to pose the questions, rather than simply writing the big check of taxpayer dollars. Sixty million dollars is real money, especially at a time when the Tomblin administration is trying to hold the line on spending.
Additionally, it’s reasonable to question whether the aging Romney campus is the best location to provide the necessary instruction and life skills to the students.
However, you can imagine the protests if the School Board decided to close the school or move it elsewhere. One protest at the State Capitol during the Legislative session by deaf and blind children accompanied by the teachers and employees of the school would be enough to stop that in its tracks.
It's hard decision. Spend money to renovate? Just start from scratch or send deaf/HOH kids to their local schools?
WV MetroNews – School for deaf and blind receives scrutiny
There’s usually not much news about the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. The institution that provides an education for deaf and blind children sits quietly in Romney on a sprawling campus with 16 major buildings on 79 acres.
But the long-standing school—it was established in 1870—is making headlines these days. And, as usual, it’s about the money.
A number of the historic buildings at the school are in bad shape. Certain areas are cordoned off with yellow construction tape. By some estimates, it would take at least $60 million dollars, or nearly five times the schools’ annual budget, to make all the necessary repairs.
Earlier this month, school Superintendent Lynn Boyer asked the state Board of Education, which oversees the school, for several million dollars to get the repairs started.
The board, rather than just handing over the money, started asking questions.
Is it worth spending $60 million on the old buildings? Would it be more economical to build a new facility that’s more centrally located? Are there better ways to educate the 120 deaf and blind students in their own communities?
That triggered a dust-up. The Hampshire Review newspaper posted an online story this week under a “Breaking News” headline. The mere possibility that the school, which is one of the largest employers in Hampshire County, might move sent shockwaves through the community.
The fears are somewhat premature.
“There’s no race to close the place,” a Tomblin administration official told me. “It would be a big loss to Romney.”
However, the responsibility falls to Superintendent Boyer to come back to the State Board at its next meeting and justify spending millions of dollars to refurbish the place. And this comes at a time when state government is looking for ways to save money, not spend more.
It’s worth noting, however, that the responsibility for providing for the school, and having it in Romney, is in the state code. Chapter 18, Article 8, Section 10 spells out the state’s responsibility for compulsory education of the deaf and blind, and even specifies that parents “shall be required to send such minor to the West Virginia schools for the deaf and blind at Romney (emphasis added).
It’s fair and responsible for the School Board to pose the questions, rather than simply writing the big check of taxpayer dollars. Sixty million dollars is real money, especially at a time when the Tomblin administration is trying to hold the line on spending.
Additionally, it’s reasonable to question whether the aging Romney campus is the best location to provide the necessary instruction and life skills to the students.
However, you can imagine the protests if the School Board decided to close the school or move it elsewhere. One protest at the State Capitol during the Legislative session by deaf and blind children accompanied by the teachers and employees of the school would be enough to stop that in its tracks.
