Community leaders gather with school officials and students to break ground for new Lewis Co. elementary school; superintendent pays tribute to local support for project's funding
Ledger Independent, Maysville, Aug. 26, 2017
Lewis breaks ground for new school
By DAMON HUFF
Lewis County administrators, State Rep. Rocky Adkins and construction officials broke ground for the new Central Elementary School in Vanceburg on Friday.
The entire elementary school was out in honorary hardhats as students and staff watched the ceremonial event performed by the school board, architects and Adkins.
“I don’t know what the final price tag is on this facility,” Adkins told the crowd, “but I really do know what the input of these tax dollars is going to. They’re going to these beautiful schools that stand here today and those that will come in the future.”
Adkins said the project is a perfect example of local citizens deciding that they want to see something really good happen in their community.
“The people of Lewis County have made a commitment to pay part of their tax money to be spent here locally,” Adkins said, “It was up to us at the state level to do our part as well.”
According to Adkins, the state matched the amount of tax money coming in locally for the project, about $6 million and added about $3.5 million more.
“I’m so honored to have the opportunity to work with the people of Lewis County, the people of our region, and the people of the commonwealth,” Adkins said, “I know of no better place to put our tax dollars than to put it back into our children.”
The contract bids for the new school building came in at $12,834,311, which was well within the budget, according to Superintendent Jamie Weddington.
Weddington also spoke to the students, staff and community members gathered. He thanked the people who got the project started before he became superintendent and who continued to work toward getting the project started.
“Our community always supports our kids,” Weddington said, “Many school districts across our state have tried to increase their funding to provide more facility money for kids and they have failed. Our community, by the widest percentage margin I know of, voted for our kids.”
The new facility is being built by Trace Creek Construction and was designed by Alt 32, an architectural firm based in Lexington.
The current elementary school will be demolished once construction of the new facility is complete.
In December, school officials said they hoped to have the new school constructed before the 2019-20 school.
Posted: Sunday, August 27, 2017