All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

State School Building Authority awards Fred Eberle Center over $400K for much-needed upgrades

Cosmetology is one of a wide variety of programs the Fred W. Eberle Technical Center offers to high school and adult students.

BUCKHANNON – The state School Building Authority met on June 17 and selected four multi-county vocational centers in West Virginia as recipients of just over $1 million through the Three Percent Statewide Grant program.

The exciting, local news?

The Fred W. Eberle Technical Center was one of those four, receiving $422,622 for sidewalks, ramp replacement and drainage system repairs.

A Three Percent Statewide Grant is a grant in which 3% of the total funds distributable are set aside to address projects that are regional or statewide in scope. Their website said the projects are submitted to the state School Building Authority and with the cooperation of the State Board of Education are recommended to the School Building Authority for potential funding.

Fred Eberle Technical Center Director Rebecca Bowers-Call said every year, as a multi-county center that serves Upshur, Lewis and Barbour counties, the school has the opportunity to apply for the Three Percent Statewide Grants.

“That money is set aside through the SBA just for multi-county centers,” Bowers-Call said. “We work with our architect, currently Williamson Shriver, and they write the grants for us. The Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan is what drives the request for the grant. The plan is now more than 10 years old, and the grant requests follow that plan.”

Since 2009, the Fred Eberle Technical Center has received a grant for repairs to the facility 10 of the 11 years they’ve applied.

“This grant will complete the last repairs in that plan,” Bowers-Call said. “We, as a county, are getting ready to complete a new CEFP (Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan) that is due in 2020. This current grant is one we worked with Williamson Shriver on to request the upgrades. With that money, we are also going to replace our fire alarm system, because we have some issues with it, so we know it is working how we need it to work on a daily basis.”

She said that Fred Eberle is a much-needed facility in the Upshur County Schools system.

“We get calls daily during the regular school year and weekly during the summer looking for students to go to work straight out of our programs,” Bowers-Call said. “There are so many needs for technical occupations – diesel mechanics, automotive mechanics – they can’t find people who are willing to work.”

She said she is not, by any means, detracting from the aspirations of students who opt to attend college.  

“It’s not for everyone. Our high school students and adult students can come to the center and be certified and go straight into the workforce making $15 to $50 per hour, depending on what program they choose. Overall, on an average, we have an 85% placement rate for our students going out into the workforce.”

Bowers-Call said their school council has been working over the last couple of years to see what, if any, new classes should be offered at Fred Eberle Technical Center.

“We know there is a need for masonry and HVAC technicians,” she said. “We want to research where the most student interest is and what types of programs we could actually fill. We want to offer what is needed, but also want to offer what students want, but are still in the preliminary stages of discovering this.”

Classes that are currently offered through Fred Eberle Technical Center include, for high school students and adults: automotive mechanics and technology; electricity; construction; collision repair; cosmetology; diesel technology; welding; CNA and phlebotomy; and Cisco networking and computer repair.

For adults, there is the LPN Program and the CDL trucking program.

She said Fred Eberle Technical Center was the first multi-county center constructed in the state of West Virginia.

“We were built in 1968, so you can tell, there are things we need to maintain to keep up with the building,” Bowers-Call said. “We need to keep things moving in the direction industry is moving. For the School Building Authority to award us these Three Percent Statewide Grants to keep the building as close as we need to be to code – and to keep the students safe, which is our focus all the time – is great. We wouldn’t be able to continue without them.”

She said the State Department of Education supplies grants for equipment.

“But if we can’t keep the buildings running efficiently and safely, we wouldn’t be able to use that equipment we can get through the state. The Three Percent Statewide Grants are invaluable – I couldn’t place a value on it,” Bowers-Call said.

The other three schools being funded through those grants in this cycle include Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center for $132,782, Roane-Jackson Technical Center for $464,162 and Mid-Ohio Valley Technical Institute for $55,808 for a total of $1,075,374.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

WVSSAC to keep state high school golf tournament in Wheeling

The WVSSAC Board of Directors has chosen Oglebay Resort in Wheeling to continue hosting the state high school golf championship through 2028 after considering bids from several venues.

Waggy breaks school record in 3200 meters for Bucs at Harry Green Invitational

Jack Waggy broke the Buckhannon-Upshur school record in the 3200 meters with a time of 9:45.31 at the Harry Green Invitational, leading the Bucs to a fourth-place finish overall.

Carlyle wins long jump for B-U at Harry Green Invitational

Rylen Carlyle set a personal record to win the long jump as Buckhannon-Upshur’s girls placed fourth overall at the Harry Green Invitational, highlighted by strong performances in several individual and relay events.

Moss has four goals as Lady Bucs gain 17-1 lacrosse win over Fairmont Senior

Mallory Moss scored four goals and two assists as the Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs dominated Fairmont Senior 17-1, with contributions from seven teammates and strong defensive play in goal and on groundballs.

Lacrosse Bucs down Jefferson County, 11-4

The Buckhannon-Upshur lacrosse team snapped a two-game losing streak with an 11-4 home win over Jefferson County, led by Tobias Marple’s four goals and Michael Tracy’s six assists.
WVWC Tennis

Wesleyan women’s tennis gains wins over West Liberty and Frostburg State

The West Virginia Wesleyan women’s tennis team improved to 3-1 in conference play with victories over West Liberty and Frostburg State, moving into third place in the Mountain East Conference standings.
WVWC Tennis

Tennis Bobcats pick up two more victories

The West Virginia Wesleyan men’s tennis team remained undefeated in Mountain East Conference play by defeating West Liberty 7-0 and Frostburg State 5-2, setting up a showdown with fellow unbeaten Charleston.

Baseball ‘Cats win one of two against Concord

West Virginia Wesleyan split a weekend baseball doubleheader with Concord University, dropping the opener 6–3 after late offense from Concord but rebounding with a 1–0 victory behind Eli Brogan’s complete-game shutout.
WVWC Track - Wesleyan Sports

Wesleyan softball splits doubleheader with West Liberty

West Virginia Wesleyan rallied late to win the opener 4–3 over West Liberty, but the Hilltoppers’ Kadence Pettit fired a complete-game shutout in Game Two as the teams split their Mountain East Conference softball doubleheader.

WVWC Student Senate contributes to flood relief in Wyoming County

WVWC Student Senate donated $1,000 to Mountain Heart Community Service to support Wyoming County households recovering from severe February flooding damage.

Moose International chairman visits Buckhannon lodge for dinner and grant ceremony

Robert K. Funkey, chairman of the Moose International Board, visited Buckhannon Moose Lodge 598 for a special dinner during which the lodge donated $500 to Upshur County Youth Baseball and Softball.

Upshur County Public Library to celebrate 30th Annual Ramp Dinner with Appalachian extravaganza

The Upshur County Public Library will celebrate its 30th Annual Ramp Dinner on April 25, featuring live music and gourmet Appalachian cuisine from chef Dale Hawkins. Get your tickets by the April 21 deadline to support the library and experience this cherished community tradition.