Approved by the Putnam County Board of Education, the bond also proposes health and safety improvements to outdoor athletic facilities at schools throughout the county, including:

• Buffalo High School
• George Washington Middle School
• Hurricane High School
• Poca High School
• Poca Middle School
• Winfield High School
• Winfield Middle School

“Our Putnam community has always valued excellence in education,� Superintendent John Hudson said. “Now we have the opportunity to expand upon that legacy by building on excellence. From a new, modern, state-of-the-art Hurricane Middle School to county-wide health and safety upgrades, the 2024 Putnam School Bond will help Putnam County Schools continue to provide the best for our students by building a brighter, safer and stronger future.�

The board requested the West Virginia School Building Authority contribute $25 million toward the new Hurricane Middle School. The funding is contingent on the passage of the bond and SBA approval of the project.

If the bond is approved, the proposed new Hurricane Middle School will be built adjacent to Hurricane High School on property owned by the Board of Education.

The 117,000-square-foot school would include:

• A media and STEM lab
• Competition gym and locker rooms
• Music and band rooms with an auditorium
• Outside learning spaces
• Separate bus and parent drop-off lanes

If passed, bond funds will also go toward ADA-compliant football stadium bleachers, new press boxes and new athletic field lighting for football, soccer, baseball and softball facilities at Hurricane High and Winfield High.

New football stadium bleachers, press boxes and athletic field lighting at the baseball and softball facilities for Buffalo High School and Poca High School.

New football field lighting for George Washington, Poca and Winfield middle schools.

The improvements would not only provide greater access to all community members, Hudson said, but would also create more energy-efficient sites and reduce maintenance costs.

Approved bond wouldn’t increase tax rates

The 2024 Putnam school bond will not increase tax rates compared to the 2009 bond that funded new schools throughout the county in Buffalo, Poca, Winfield and Confidence, Hudson said. If passed, the bond will be paid over a 15-year term, and it will be $6.9 million less than the 2009 bond, which was $56.8 million

If the bond is passed, for every $50,000 of Class II property appraised value, the approximate taxes for homeowners would be $27.84, a $22.26 decrease from 2009’s bond.

In regard to vehicles, personal property, non-owner occupied houses and businesses, for every $10,000 of Class III or IV property appraised value, the approximate tax amount would be $11.14 if the bond is passed. This is an $8.90 decrease from the 2009 bond. The approximate bond tax is calculated from the approximate bond rates from the applicable bond levy order. All standard discounts and exemptions would apply to these rates.

According to its website, Putnam County Schools does not currently have the financial resources to fund the estimated expenditures for the construction of the projects listed in the bond. Funds secured from the bond are only permitted to be spent on infrastructure and buildings.

As part of the plan, the older Hurricane Middle School structure would be demolished. A newer section of that school would be used for a professional and service training, alternative programs or office space.

What’s next

“The current Hurricane Middle School, built in 1950, is overdue for replacement,� Hudson said. “Funding did not allow a new Hurricane Middle to be included in the 2009 bond.�

If passed, the next step in the process is bids for bond projects, pre-construction meetings and finalizing design and architectural plans. Construction could begin two to three months after a bid is accepted, and an estimated time frame for completion is about two to three years.

On Putnam County ballots, a “yes� vote is a vote in favor of the bond issue. A “no� vote, is a vote against it.