MetroNews
Williamson, Mingo County
Mingo County students will move into a brand new high school with all the bells and whistles come next Fall.
Gilbert, Birch, Matewan and Williamson High Schools and the Mingo County Career Center will all become Mingo Central High School.
Assistant Mingo County Superintendent Robert Bobbera says it's a fantastic facility. "It's state of the art. We're looking at an increase in programs, more so than what we can offer in our individual schools," he says.
The $37 million project is already under roof. The building covers 172,000 square feet and is wired for the latest technology.
"We have been very forward thinking thanks to our technology coordinator in the county. This will be a state of the art school. In fact, we're looking at a one-to-one computer ratio for this school and the students."
The site is on top of an old surface mine near Williamson. The land was donated to the county by Alpha Natural Resources and Nicewonder Contracting. It sits right next to a section of the soon-to-be completed King Coal Highway.
"It's a 90 acre site. I don't know where you would find 90 acres of land like that in Mingo County, especially along a major highway that's coming into play. It's just a wonderful opportunity for our students in Mingo County."
Bobbera says not only will the building and site be top notch, so will the classes they'll be offering. He says with 850 projected students coming from four schools, the educational benefits with more class offerings and AP and advanced classes will help students better prepare for their future.
The building is set to be finished by June.
The move from all four high schools will take place over the Summer and the students will start the 2011-2012 school year in the new facility. But Bobbera says they've already been preparing the students for life as a Mingo Central Miner.
"We're making a very concerted effort to bring the schools together prior to the actual opening of this school."
Mingo County is currently under state control. One reason was the state of their facilities. The new high school will address at least part of that issue.
Tug Valley High School in the western part of the county is not be part of the consolidation.