WEIRTON — The Hancock County Board of Education is planning to move its Alternative Learning Center to a bigger location, and with the move come plans to expand the services available there.

During Tuesday’s school board meeting, members unanimously approved a lease for the new space located at 3539 Main St. in Weirton – next door from its current location.

“It’s probably 75 percent larger than what we have now,” Superintendent Dan Enich explained.

The county school district’s Alternative Learning Center was established to provide educational opportunities for students with social, behavioral or disciplinary challenges to the point they may be unable to participate in a traditional classroom setting.

In addition to receiving instruction in typical subjects such as English, math, history and science, the center also offers opportunities for counseling services, as well as life skills and character education programs.

Enich explained he and other school officials have been in discussions with Jesse Krieg, the owner of the property, which most recently had housed the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau offices and the Summit Art Gallery, about the relocation, and what arrangements would be needed to accommodate the district’s needs.

“It should be a really big upgrade for what we’re doing,” Enich said.

In addition to being the new home for the ALC, Enich indicated plans are to include locating the county’s Adult Education programs to the site, and, in the future, serve as an in-person check-in location for students who have been expelled from the county’s public schools to ensure they are keeping up with their education and disciplinary requirements.

The board explained there would be a cost of $41,000 to fund the renovations needed for the space, with a payment plan available between the school district and Krieg, and a monthly rent of $4,250. Enich noted, though, as a result of funding programs available, half of the rent cost would be covered by the state.

“He’s going to have to do some work there,” explained Finance Director Joe Campinelli.

The board is only able to sign such a lease for one-year, but Enich indicated plans are to use the space for many years and would do an annual renewal.