The Berkeley County Board of Education hosted West Virginia School Building Authority Executive Director Andy Neptune during its regular meeting on May 4 to discuss the role of the authority in an upcoming school bond, ahead of a community vote scheduled for May 12.
Neptune addressed questions from board members and clarified how the School Building Authority evaluates requests. The discussion is significant as Berkeley County Schools continues to face growth and overcrowding, prompting consideration for new school facilities. The outcome of the bond vote may affect future plans for addressing these needs.
Neptune said his visit was unusual because he typically attends events celebrating completed projects but was present this time to answer questions about the process. “We evaluate the need as it comes across our desk,” Neptune said. “So, without dwelling too much on if it doesn’t, but when it does, I hope that this board will be reconsidering attempting again, given the list that I saw. You don’t want to say that hurts that need or whatever. That’s the need that comes across, the desire of each county, and we evaluate that and look at that very seriously, not the fact that, well it didn’t pass the first time so we’re not that interested.” Board President Jackee Long thanked Neptune and emphasized continued support from both sides.
Board member Damon Wright discussed how passing the bond would allow students to move out of trailers into regular classrooms and noted its broader impact on staff morale and student behavior throughout Berkeley County Schools. Neptune responded by saying need varies across West Virginia but highlighted a shortage of classroom space in their region.
Long asked about timelines if voters do not approve this year’s bond proposal; Neptune explained schools could reevaluate and resubmit their application for future consideration in September or November ballots. Other board members including Melissa Power and Michael Martin expressed appreciation for SBA support—Martin remarked on how Eastern Panhandle needs sometimes feel overlooked at state level—and Saxe agreed there has never been an executive director more supportive than Neptune.
Berkeley County Schools serves more than 19,000 students with over 3,400 staff members across 32 educational sites in Martinsburg area while reporting a graduation rate of 98 percent according to its official website.