These buildings were condemned after the flooding along the Elk River on June 23, 2016. More than 2 years later, we have no schools, no property purchased to build them on, and apparently previous mismanagement of FEMA funds have stalled the ability to begin this process. We request immediate investigation and solid plans to resolve the apparent funding and approval processes, whether it is local, state or federal agencies who have ignored the needs of our children and our community for much too long. We demand action!
Why is this important?
The Elk River community has been waiting too long, and can’t seem to get a straight answer from any local, state or federal agency as to what the hold up on replacing the schools. We have been patient. We initially believed what we were told, and accepted it. Enough is enough! We have an entire community of children whose entire high school experience will be in a portable high school, which, is of course a joke among other schools. We have children who will have been in a shared elementary from 3rd-5th grades, a shared middle school from 6-8 grades and a portable high school for potentially 1-2 years, depending on exactly when, and if the new high school is built. This is inexcusable. To live 20 minutes from the Capital of WV and see families that are still waiting on their FEMA buy back funds is reprehensible. It is impossible for the area to bounce back from the catastrophics losses of family homes and community schools without at least some faith that our government is going to do as they said they would. We as tax payers have a right to know what is going on, and our children deserve better. If you can imagine yourself or your child in this situation, I am certain you would use everything within your power to investigate the issues, and immediately begin to right the wrongs that have been done.
