Kenova facilities take shape: ; Crews construct temporary school; Sinkholes made building unsafe, classes will be taught at football field

KENOVA - A fleet of portable classrooms will replace KenovaElementary now that it has been closed by the threat of dangeroussinkholes.

Crews are setting up an expanse of portable classrooms on theCeredo-Kenova High School football field so students can make itback when class starts in Wayne County in a few weeks.

When asked whether or not the construction crews setting up the52-unit cluster will be able to finish by the first day of school onAug. 11, Assistant Superintendent Don Davis could only say "GoodLord willing."

The growing cluster of portables is more expansive than what wasoriginally predicted. It was thought that only between 19 and 21portable classrooms would be needed when the school closed in May.

As the portable school has taken shape over the past few weeks,Davis says that the support from the community and local governmentand business leaders has been overwhelming.

Given the nature of the move, they had to be.

Kenova Elementary, a 97-year-old school, was closed in May due tosinkholes that made the building unsafe.

The age of the school and rains that just wouldn't quit werepegged as reasons for the abrupt closure, which took students out ofschool four weeks early and caused them to miss the WESTEST 2 exam.

At the time, seeing the school close was an emotional blow to thecommunity, most of which attended Kenova Elementary. It was membersof the community that suggested the portables be placed on thefootball field.

"They want the best for their kids and grandkids."

The portable classroom units vary in size, depending on what theywill be used for, and the fleet has been locked down in a three-year lease from mobile building supplier Williams Scotsman, whichhas an office in Charleston.

Unlike most portable classroom setups, Kenova students will nothave to walk outside to get from class to class because of how eachindividual unit is connected via a long hallway. The self-containedschool will also include computer labs, a kitchen and a cafeteria.

The lease alone costs $1.6 million for three years, but Daviscould not say how much the construction and placement of theportables will run Wayne County schools at this point.

The state School Building Authority allocated $2 million inemergency funding for the temporary school. This did not come out ofthe $22 million handed out by the authority in June after matchingbonds failed in Upshur and Harrison counties.

Wayne County was not eligible for any of the $22 million becauseit had not submitted any construction proposals for the first roundof funds rewarded in April.

David Sneed, the chief of architectural services for the SBA, wasnot sure if any other school system in the state has more portablesthan Wayne County right now, but if he had to guess it would be no.

Even in Jefferson and Berkeley counties, which are bedroomcommunities to the Washington, D.C., area and see explosive growth,no single school has more portables than Kenova Elementary.

"These portables in Wayne are not your traditional layout; it'sbasically a school with an interior corridor. It's not like a tentcity or something," he said.

Originally, Wayne County school officials wanted to put thetemporary school in a field next to Ceredo-Kenova Middle School, butthat did not offer enough space.

"I don't think it would be feasible now either," Davis said.

Though the school will provide a space for the ousted KenovaElementary students, the football field their temporary home sits onhas been compromised.

It has been at least a decade since Ceredo-Kenova High School hasheld any students, but its football field has been used in recentyears by middle school sports leagues. They will now have topractice and play at Spring Valley High School, which is about threemiles away.

In the meantime, construction crews continue to work on theportables and are awaiting the second portion of units now and thefuture of the old Kenova Elementary building remains uncertain.

"They have been very supportive and it saddens us all like we'releaving our own home, but we go on, and I think the community andour parents understand that it has to be like this," Davis said.

CRAIG CUNNINGHAM/DAILY MAIL PHOTOS Construction crews lay wiringfor the temporary Kenova Elementary School. The school will be aconfiguration of portable classrooms connected by a hallway.

The portable classrooms that will make up the temporary KenovaElementary School are being positioned on the Ceredo-Kenova HighSchool football field.

Contact writer Amber Marra at amber.marra@dailymail.com or 304-348-4843.