School Funding Projects Put on Hold

West Virginia's School Building Authority has postponed considering any funding requests until March, so it can hit up the Legislature for $100 million backed by the sale of bonds, The Associated Press reports.

SBA Executive Director Mark Anthony Manchin tells the AP's Shaya Tayefe Mohajer that the written requests already submitted by 42 counties total $254 million - five time's what's available.

"The funding is for projects generally costing $1 million or more, such as new school construction or adding classrooms," the article said. "Typically, counties with construction needs would be interviewed this month, but Manchin says those interviews won't begin until mid-March, after the session is over. Funding announcements will still be made July 1."

The Journal of Martinsburg localizes the story, focusing on the quest Berkeley and Jefferson counties for a pair of new elementary schools.