Harts celebrates new school

By RON GREGORY
Staff Writer
HARTS -- Governor Joe Manchin emphasized the belief that Lincoln County's educational system "is now on the right track" several times Friday evening, April 25. The governor was the featured speaker when a "Harts Celebration" gathered in the Harts Middle School cafeteria to receive official notice that a new pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school is headed to Harts.
Speaking to the crowd of about 150, the governor praised members of the elected Lincoln County board of education for their "determination" in seeking funding from the state School Building Authority (SBA) for the new school.
“It’s clear to me that under the leadership of Carol Smith and her fellow board members such as Billie Frye, the challenging times for Lincoln County schools are finally coming to an end,” the governor said later. “I see a bright future ahead and I look forward to continuing to work with Carol and Billie and the entire board in the months and years to come to do what is best for all of the children of Lincoln County.”
Manchin also said he is pleased that the county board is working "hand-in-hand" with the state board of education to "improve the educational climate in Lincoln County."
Manchin said by "working together, the county board and state board are doing good things for Lincoln County."
Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin flashed broad smiles as they entered the packed cafeteria at about 6:30 p.m. Prior to the first couple's arrival, county officials chatted with those who turned out to hail the planned arrival of a new school in the southern Lincoln County community.
Among   those   on   hand  were     Lincoln     School    Board
President Carol Smith, and members Billie Frye, Phoebe Harless, Thomas Ramey, Jr. and Larry Bays. County Superintendent David L. Roach and Assistant Jeff Huffman also mingled with the crowd before being seated at the front table.
SBA Executive Director Mark Manchin attended as did Delores Cook, representing the state school board and the SBA. State School Superintendent Steven Paine served as master of ceremonies.
Delegates Lidella Wilson Hrutkay and Ted Ellis were also in attendance.
All of those who spoke were loudly cheered by the crowd. The governor and his wife spent several minutes working their way through the crowd toward the podium.
Mark Manchin brought the crowd to its feet when he cried, "It's a great day to be a Harts Lion!"
Plans for the new school have been in the works for some time, with the official announcement of funding coming last week. Members of the school board and Roach have been meeting with Harts residents to determine where the new school should be located.
It appears that state officials favor building the new school on the site of the current football field. Ramey said most Harts residents favor other sites, which are being considered at this time. No final word on the location is expected for 60 days.
The Harts school will be funded, over a two-year period beginning July 1, at $12.3 million from the SBA. An additional $1 million is expected locally, according to Roach.
Smith said when word reached Harts that the new school would be funded "everyone here wanted to hold a celebration to thank the governor, the SBA, the state superintendent and others for their support." The Friday celebration grew when Governor Manchin confirmed he could attend, Smith said.
"The community decided to rally around the idea and show their support by coming here today and to thank the governor, the School Building Authority, the state superintendent of schools and others for their dedication to this community," Ramey said.
Paine had spoken at an SBA meeting more than a month ago about the need for a new school at Harts. He told SBA members then "nobody in the state needs a new school more than Harts, I can assure you that."
The first lady was cited by the governor as a "major supporter of a new school at Harts." The governor said the first lady lobbied hard for funding.
Smith told the crowd, "your children are our children and we want to do what's best for all our children."
Frye, who lives in nearby Ranger, called it "an exciting time for me. This is really wonderful. I can't wait to get started on it."