New Hacker Valley community school bucks the trend
Community School Supporters (L to R) Barbara Fish, formerly
with the WV Board of Education; Cindy Miller (Challenge WV),
community school advocate; Kay Carpenter (Challenge WV),
former Webster school superintendent; Amelia Anderson
(Challenge WV), community school advocate; and Louise Hamrick,
community school advocate and former Webster board member
Entire student body becomes "school choir" during dedication
Hacker Valley Elementary School in Webster County had one of the worst school buildings in West Virginia. With student enrollment about 70 (Pre-K through 8) the remote school was a real target for closure and consolidation.
The new $7.4 million dollar facility was dedicated this week, a shining example of advocacy and leadership to keep a community school.
"This is an example what persevering work by community leaders can accomplish," said Challenge WV Executive Director Thomas Ramey. Challenge WV fellows have been among community leaders in saving the rural school.
Gov. Joe Manchin gave the keynote address at the dedication, acknowledging the importance of community schools, while students delivered a top ten list about what they like about the new school.
Principal Kennetha Parker-Howes says the difference between the two buildings is night and day. "We moved from a building that looked like a barn, had mold on the outside and the floors were falling in."
"Our kids have always been really good students, but new spaces promote new attitudes," Parker-Howes said, indicating the Webster area is among the lowest in income the Mountain State.
All but $500,000 of the $7.4 million price tag came from the state School Building Authority.
"For over a year, this rural and sparsely populated community in northern Webster County has watched as teams of workers moved soil, poured concrete, laid blocks and bricks, and created the plumbing and electrical infrastructure necessary for a brand new school," said Amelia Anderson of Challenge WV.
Gov. Joe Manchin (far left) and SBA head Dr. Mark Manchin hear
a Hacker Valley student deliver "Top Ten" list about the new school
Parents and community members tour new facility
THE JOURNEY TO SUCCESS
While the original school was opened in 1895, the need for a permanent facility goes back 43 years to 1966, when the one and two room schools of the surrounding hills joined together to form Hacker Valley Grade School.
That effort resulted in the placement of ten trailers to be used as school facilities.
Time took its' toll on the structures, the roof leaked and was frequently repaired. The floors wore down, developing soft spots and the single pane windows leaked, and on cold mornings, ice could be scraped off the inside of the glass.
"The list of problems for the school was endless," said Challenge WV advocate Cindy Miller, who worked to keep the community school.
In 1995, the Webster school administration and school board attempted to close the community school, but after much resistance the school was spared the axe of consolidation.
The community, afraid its small population would prevent it from receiving School Building Authority funding based on economies of scale, was making plans to build its own school.
An area architect, Bryson Van Nostrand, who had attended the grade school, submitted design plans, volunteers signed-up to commit countless hours to the project, and material donations were being sought.
Following the efforts of former Webster County School Superintendent, Kay Carpenter, a Challenge WV fellow, local school board members, administrators and SBA officials, funding was given to the new school.
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