MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Monongalia County Schools will have extra learning and activity space at the Monongalia County Technical Education Center (MTEC).
The Monongalia County Board of Education will pay approximately $320,000 to close the contract with Pierpont Community and Technical College for the Pierpont Center at MTEC. Pierpont didn’t utilize the building as planned and also wanted to end the relationship.
“We had interest in getting it back, there are a lot of things that we can do with it, and we need the space,” said Monongalia County School Superintendent Eddie Campbell. “And I spoke with the Interim President there before she left, and she and her board had interest in giving it back to us,” he said.
The facility was originally built as part of an agreement with Monongalia County Schools and Pierpont Community and Technical College to use property at MTEC to house adult education programs, among other classes. The agreement required Monongalia County Schools’ Maintenance Department to build the center, while Pierpont would cover costs of materials, equipment, and annual facility upkeep.
“That was an expense that they had to incur every year to pay us, and again, I’m not sure their usage was sufficient enough to continue for them to make those payments,” said Monongalia County School Deputy Superintendent Donna Talerico.
The costs of the transfer between Monongalia County Schools and Pierpont Community and Technical College were calculated in the costs of construction (approximately $350,000) and depreciation as part of the agreement. This was originally agreed upon in the initial contract for the Pierpont Center and the deal sever the partnership.
“They’ve (Pierpont) taken the net value, they’ve taken the cost of it minus the depreciation, so the remaining amount due to them is $320,000,” said Monongalia County School Treasurer Nicole Kemper on the agreement.
Monongalia County Schools early goals for the facility they now have full control over are to further expand the education opportunities at MTEC. This includes expanded classroom space for students and classrooms to train educators. The hope is that the Pierpont Center will see full use in the near future.
“We can also use it for some training opportunities when we have to bring staff in for certain things, it’s a lovely facility,” said Talerico. “It’s been underused, so we’re thrilled to be able to have it in its entirety,” she said.