PARKERSBURG — The Wood County School system has multiple construction projects going on this summer throughout the district.

All of the current construction projects, and those waiting on bids, are unrelated to the bond of 2022. Projects for the recent bond approval are still in the design and planning stages.

Renovation work at Jefferson Elementary is one of the larger projects taking place within the school system.

Although the wait for some equipment has been up to 32 weeks, the project is currently on schedule and materials are arriving.

The school is having all new windows installed with 232 being completed. A total of 49 windows were tinted with new spandrel, and four windows were replaced that were unplanned but were in poor condition. Jefferson also received a new drainage system and is having inclusive playground equipment installed. Drainage is complete and the playground is expected to be completed by Aug 15.

The abatement process, which is the removal of asbestos, will be completed by Saturday. New tiles are being installed and walls where furnaces are located are being painted. Ductwork is completed in the primary wing and work in the auditorium is in production. Gas lines have been installed and painted on the roof deck, as well at Jefferson.

“Most counties, if they had a project that size, that would be their only project, it’s exponentially large,” said Michael Fling, assistant superintendent of support services for Wood County Schools during a presentation to the Wood County Board of Education on Tuesday night. “And we have local contractors who are doing an excellent job. It’s nice to have local people because they have ownership in the community.”

Blennerhassett Elementary is receiving a secure entrance and inclusive playground equipment. Demolition of the classroom that’s going to become the secure entrance has already began. A temporary space for the principal, vice principal, and secretaries is also underway. The current office will become a classroom with the kindergarten room on the outside edge becoming the new secure entrance.

Visitors will now show credentials at that entrance and then let into the building where they will no longer have to walk through the cafeteria. Equipment for the inclusive playground has been installed and is expected to be completed by Aug 15.

Parkersburg South High School will undergo a courtyard fencing and security project. The project will enclose the courtyard surrounding the Wood County Technical Center’s previous entrance and will come out of the stairwell next to the wood shop. It will also include a fence from the knee high wall up to to the deck. The fence will have time-lock doors which will keep people from entering from the outside during the day, but still allow students to travel to the tech center and weight rooms without being outside in front of the school.

Doors locks will be opened to allow people to travel in during sporting events and other activities at the school during off hours. Behind the school there will be a connecting fence from what Fling referred to as “the little gym” to the back of the Rod Oldham Athletic Center and will have a 10-foot rolling gate to allow emergency vehicles and mowing equipment into the grounds.

There are plans to add picnic benches for students to socialize and have lunch at also. A pre-construction meeting was held July 7 and materials have been ordered with an estimated delivery of equipment being eight to 16 weeks.

Other projects on going, or awaiting bids, include HVAC projects for the Parkersburg High School Field House and the Rod Oldham Athletic Center at PSHS, bids to replace the HVAC at Edison Middle School, Martin and Kanawha Elementary, window replacement for Edison Middle School, bleacher replacements at Williamstown Middle/High School, and paving projects at Edison Middle School, Jackson Middle School, and Greenmont Elementary.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at

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