NEW CUMBERLAND – Hancock County Schools is one step closer to being able to update its comprehensive facilities plan to allow for a project to update its heating and air conditioning systems in two of the county’s schools.

During its meeting Wednesday, the West Virginia Board of Education approved an amendment to Hancock County Schools’ Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include replacements of Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems at Oak Glen High School and Weir Middle School.

Hancock County Schools Director of Facilities and Maintenance Kasey Arnott touched on the topic during the local board of education’s meeting May 26, noting plans to apply for funding from the West Virginia School Building Authority.

“It’s almost $1 million for HVAC upgrades,” Arnott said.

The next step would be to apply to the SBA for the funding.

The CEFP is a document, mapping out long-range strategies to address the needs of a school system’s physical infrastructure in relation to meeting educational goals.

“It’s a 10 year strategy plan,” Arnott explained.

Each plan is reviewed and approved by the Hancock County Department of Education’s Office of School Facilities.

Superintendent Walter Saunders, also speaking during the May 26 meeting, explained the amendment process is part of making sure the county is eligible to apply for the SBA funding.

“We definitely want to be eligible,” Saunders said.

The last update of Hancock County Schools’ CEFP was done in 2020, according to Saunders.

Hancock County’s CEFP also includes the recently completed pyrite remediation project at Oak Glen Middle School, district-wide fire alarm and elevator upgrades, and other projects.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)