Latest News, WV Press Videos

State officials tour deteriorating Fayette schools

Register-Herald photo by Rick Barbero School Building Authority Board Member Chris Morris leads the tour of Collins Middle School Tuesday. Behind him, Fayette County Director of Operations David Keffer shared details about the deteriorated facility with Authority Assistant Director of Architectural Services Ben Ashley.
Register-Herald photo by Rick Barbero
School Building Authority Board Member Chris Morris leads the tour of Collins Middle School Tuesday. Behind him, Fayette County Director of Operations David Keffer shared details about the deteriorated facility with Authority Assistant Director of Architectural Services Ben Ashley.

OAK HILL, W.Va. — One voting member of the School Building Authority who will help decide if Fayette County receives funding for a project to benefit more than half the district’s students visited some of the deteriorating facilities Tuesday.

From an upstairs classroom in the condemned two-story structure at Collins Middle School, Fayette County Director of Operations David Keffer pointed out cracks in the masonry walls where water infiltration has corroded steel supports above windows. Those supports are weakened and windows are under increased pressure.

 The building, which held around 400 seventh and eight graders, was deemed unsuitable for occupation nearly one year ago. Those students are still displaced and divided between Fayetteville and Oak Hill high schools.

Based on measurements of the exterior wall, Keffer believes the back corner nearest the condemned gymnasium and separate 5th and 6th grade building has shifted more than half an inch over the past few years.

The maintenance team continues to monitor the condemned structures to ensure they don’t pose a threat to the nearly 400 students left on the campus…

 

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

And get our latest content in your inbox

Invalid email address