Pictured (l to r) are Dr. Mark Manchin (Director of the West Virginia School Building Authority), Scott Raines (SBA Assistant Director for Architectural Services), and Harold "Chuck" Hatfield (Superintendent of Putnam County Schools).

Dr. Mark Manchin

"In order for us to prepare our children for the 21st century," Dr. Mark Manchin told Putnam Rotarians today, "we must have 21st century facilities. If we are going to have economic development, we have to have a quality educational system. .

Manchin is Executive Director of the School Building Authority of West Virginia, and his office advises, assists and provides most of the funding for school facilities in the state.

A year ago Manchin toured the schools of Putnam County. He noted where children were still housed in more than fifty double-room trailers. He saw the Poca Middle School built in 1926 where they turn off computers in one classroom before they turn them on elsewhere -- to avoid electrical overloads.

He told Superintendent Chuck Hatfield and the Putnam Board that his office would "cut a check" for $11 million Next July for a total of $21.75 million the following year to replace the trailers that presently house two-thirds of the children at Winfield Middle School.

But there is a catch.

Other counties are passing local school bonds. And there also must be local initiative in Putnam. The people must "step up to the plate" and back improved buildings. There will be no more money for school buildings in Putnam -- not the $21.75 for Winfield Middle, not another dollar to replace deteriorating trailers -- anywhere, until local people join in the effort.

Recognizing the superior performance and management of Putnam schools, the Authority has already funded major building improvements throughout the county. There is, for instance, the new state-of-the-art Mountain View elementary school in the rapidly-growing Teays Valley. Hurricane Middle School, Hurricane High and Winfield High have all been funded for major renovations and expansion. A major SBA project is presently underway at Scott-Teays.

For this reason, the Putnam Board of Education is calling for a bond referendum which would build a new Buffalo High School, a new Confidence Elementary, and a new Poca Middle School. There will be auxiliary gymnasiums placed at every high school, where athletes now are scheduled into late evening hours to get practice time for everyone.

The bond referendum set for next August 29th is for $56.7 million. That represents about ten dollars per month for a homeowner with a house valued at $100,000 and a car valued at $10,000.

"We can't look to our left," said Manchin. "We can't look to our right. We can't look behind us and say, 'Who's going to fix it?'

"We have come here today to recognize that we are responsible for our own futures, that we've got to build." He said.

Manchin related the story of a wealthy coal baron in his native Marion County who wanted to do something for someone, and he found a young contractor who lived in a community near Fairmont. The young man was struggling. "He had a wife and two small children. The coal baron called him and said, 'Son, I understand that you can build. I want you to build the most beautiful house that you can build. I don't want you to spare any cost. You know who I am. You know I have millions of dollars. Money is no object. I want you to build for me a house. Materials are no object. I have open accounts everywhere'.

"The young fellow said, 'This is an opportunity for me. I could make a little money. You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to use the cheapest labor and charge for the premium. I'm going to use the cheapest materials, and I'm going to charge him the premium. I'll use twice the amount of sand in the mortar. I'll use the cheapest lumber. I'll cut a corner everywhere I can. He doesn't know. I'll make money off of him.'

"So he built the house, and six months later he went to the millionaire and said, 'Sir, the house is done.'

"The man said, 'Son, is that the very best house you could build.'

"'Yes, sir', said the builder. 'That is the very best house I could build.'

"The man said, 'Here are the keys. It's your house. I want to help somebody. I want to help you, son.'

"Lay a foundation for future generations."

"Ladies and gentlemen: You're building for yourselves by passing this bond.

"I don't think that I need to comment and support this bond to you. You wouldn't be here today if you didn't care.

"There are only two criteria that we look at," Manchin continued. "The number one criterion is the health and safety of children. How will this project impact the health and safety of the children for the county?"

How do the trailers touch on health and safety, he asked. "Because they require children to leave the building, not only to face the inclement weather but also to face whatever dangers may be out there.

"The second criterion is effective and efficient use of funds. We looked at the projects and realized that this was one of the best before us last year. If fact, it was rated number one.

"And I would have no problem in going anywhere in this county and saying this was one of the better projects we have seen in the last ten years, because it addresses the health and safety of children, and it represents effective and efficient use of the funds."

But school buildings are a partnership between the local counties and the state, he said. "That's the message I bring to you today," said the Director. "Why would we support a project if indeed the local community doesn't support the project? We are partners!.

"With good schools, we can create a community that will have good-paying jobs. There is a direct correlation with good education, so that a father and a mother don't have to be unemployed. That can happen.

"The great works that benefit humanity are not accomplished by one man, or one woman, or one generation. One plants that the other may gather. One lays the foundation that the other may build the edifice. And thus there is a labor of love for all generations.

"Ladies and gentlemen, on August 29th you're going to lay that foundation. You're going to plant that seed for the future. And you will reap the benefits. Your children, and their children, will reap the benefits of what you do today."