[Nfbwv-talk] FOLLOW-UP STORY ON WVSD&B FROM WV PUBLIC RADIO

[Ed McDonald]

Moving deaf, blind schools would cost more


By Cecelia Mason

January 30, 2013 · The West Virginia Board of Education is exploring the 
possibility of moving the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind from 
Romney to a more central location, but that might not be the most cost 
efficient option.


The consultant who worked on the Schools for Deaf and Blind comprehensive 
educational plan said it would cost in the ballpark of $20 million more to 
move the schools than it would to renovate the Romney campus. The estimated 
cost for renovations is $75 to $80 million.



David Ferguson, principle and architect at ZMM Architects and Engineers, 
said to build a new campus the state would have to buy at least 30 to 40 
acres in or adjacent to a city.



"And you're going to have to look at infrastructure to support the campus 
with not only goods and services but you're going to have to look at 
infrastructure for roadways and utilities, gas, electric, water, sewage, 
those types of things that all play into effect on where the site would be 
located," Ferguson said.



Ferguson pointed out the school board will also have to consider the effect 
moving the schools will have on students and staff. He said some of the 
highly specialized staff at the schools might not be able to move, and 
students would lose continuity in instruction.



"Studies have show that it's at least three years to get the programs up and 
running for that type of instruction because those people might be also be 
very hard to find," he said. "Three years of instruction time to get it up 
and running to where it was before they moved."



The comprehensive plan calls for modern classrooms with updated technology 
and new residence space that will be more comfortable and home-like.



Ferguson said once the schools are brought up to today's standards Romney 
might turn out to be a better location if the state board is interested in 
attracting tuition-paying out of state students to the schools.


An audio version of this story can be found on the WV Public Radio web site 
under "West Virginia News."

www.wvpubcast.org