WOWK was recently at the Duval PK8 location in Hamlin to discuss the new building. Below is an excerp from the article. The full article can be found here.
LINCOLN COUNTY, WV (WOWK) — A project to rebuild Duval PK-8 is moving forward thanks to supplemental funding that was awarded to the school district on Monday.
Demolition of the old building began earlier this month, according to Lincoln County Schools Superintendent Frank Barnett, but funding issues have kept the project on hold the last three years.
“The excitement of having the project done and it goes out to bid and comes back and everyone is thinking ‘We’re going to get a school,’” said Barnett. “And then it comes back way over budget and we have to start over again.”
After Duval PK-8 was condemned back in 2021, Barnett said the school district was awarded $27 M by the School Building Authority. However, after the plans were created that ended up being $14 M too short.
Barnett said those plans were reviewed again to cut costs. Thanks to the extra money announced this week and the school district contributing another $5 M, they’ll be able to move forward.
“The excitement is just overwhelming,” Barnett said. “To be able to walk into something brand new and something they’ve been waiting for, for a long time.”
For almost three years, students and staff members have been operating out of the board of education office. While adjustments were made to make room for the students, the years haven’t been without their challenges.
“Since the building itself closed, we’ve had kids transfer to other school, some home school things happen,” said Joshua Barnett, Principal of Duval Pk-8. “We’ve lost probably well over 100 students in enrollment since that happened, but I’m confident the new facility will change that.”
Frank Barnett said they plan to break ground in late February, early March. Once that happens, it will take about 810 days to build the new facility.
The new school building is expected to be done by the start of the 2026-27 school year and will house over 500 students that includes those attending Duval PK-8 and Midway Elementary School.