The Wood County Board of Education (BOE) discussed plans for a new wrestling facility at Jackson Middle School during their recent meeting. The proposed project, presented by Jackson Middle School coaches Rick Parks and Adam Jones, aims to build a privately funded addition that includes a dedicated wrestling room, locker rooms, a concession stand, and space for an athletic trainer. The facility would be approximately 4,500 square feet in size.
Coach Rick Parks highlighted the need for the new facility, noting that the wrestling program has grown to about 40 students but currently lacks an on-site practice space. This year, the team has been practicing at the Vienna Recreation Building, which has caused logistical challenges for students. Parks shared concerns about student safety, mentioning that one student suffered a broken leg while walking to the off-site practice location during winter conditions.
Adam Jones emphasized that the project would be funded entirely through community support and fundraising efforts, with no financial burden placed on the school system. He also mentioned ongoing discussions with local businesses and city officials to secure additional funding, including a request of $35,000 from the city of Vienna.
Board President Justin Raber expressed cautious optimism but stressed the importance of thorough review before approval. He raised questions about compliance with district policies, including bidding procedures since the building would be constructed on school property. Raber also pointed out potential issues related to Title IX compliance after noticing that the proposed boys’ locker room appeared larger than the girls’ locker room. Assistant Superintendent Kaleb Lawrence agreed that these details require careful consideration and suggested exploring options such as memorandums of understanding to avoid complications.
The BOE did not take final action on the wrestling facility proposal during the meeting. Alongside this discussion, the board approved its fiscal year 2027 budget without public comment and authorized several contracts and bids for school infrastructure projects. These included paving work by McKee Paving and Brown Asphalt, elevator shaft upgrades at Parkersburg High School, and kitchen equipment installation at Lincoln Elementary School. Lawrence noted that through change orders, the district achieved significant cost savings on some projects.
The meeting also featured recognition of student achievements and staff excellence. Awards were given to Jackson Middle School students who won a state video competition, top performers in the West Virginia Stock Market Game, Parkersburg South High School art students, National Board Certified Teachers, and Lauren Flanagan, who received a prestigious student prize from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation.
Overall, the Wood County BOE showed support for enhancing school facilities while emphasizing due diligence in planning and compliance with policies to ensure successful project outcomes.
