CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Senator Mark R. Maynard (R–Wayne), representing West Virginia’s 6th Senatorial District, has introduced Senate Bill 1070 during the current legislative session to give the West Virginia School Building Authority (SBA) the authority to address critical property and land stability issues impacting public schools.
Under current law, the SBA is restricted in how its funds may be used and cannot address certain property-related issues surrounding school facilities — even when those issues directly threaten the structural integrity and safety of a school.
Senate Bill 1070 would correct that limitation.
The legislation was introduced in direct response to the ongoing and accelerating riverbank erosion at Kermit K-8 School, where the Tug River continues to eat away at the embankment moving steadily toward the school. Despite the clear and growing risk, no agency currently has taken action.
“This is about protecting our children and our schools before we have a crisis,” said Senator Maynard. “The Tug River is not waiting on bureaucracy. It is eroding the riverbank at a rapid pace, and under current law, the School Building Authority cannot step in to fix the problem. Senate Bill 1070 gives them that ability.”
