Hinton Area Elementary renovated for first time in 44 years

Partnership between county school, private foundations, individual donors, & federal education dollars leads to major renovations for the first time in school’s history. 

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

Hinton Area Elementary, one of three elementary schools in Summers County, opened the doors in 1980. Since then, more than 10,000 students have walked the same halls, sat in the same classrooms, and used the same bathrooms. 

That year was the last time Summers County had an excess levy, which is a tool most county school systems use for capital improvements. Multiple attempts to pass a school levy have failed over the years, including the latest attempt in the May 2024 primary election by some 400 votes. 

Local leaders decided to take matters into their own hands in order to renovate the 44-year old building. The Hinton Area Foundation approached Summers County Schools with an idea to form a partnership between the county school system, private foundations, individual donors, and federal dollars. 

“The American spirit is that everybody pitches in,” says Superintendent David Warvel. “That’s what happened here, and students are going to love it when they return this fall.” 

Community partners fund new bathrooms

“It hadn’t been renovated since 1980,” said Scott Jarrett, the Executive Director of the Hinton Area Foundation (HAF). “The bathrooms were original.” 

Jarrett’s donors are passionate supporters of the local schools, offering scholarships to students and minigrants to teachers each year. When he took the job, he saw an opportunity to make a bigger impact. 

“HAF is a catalyst for the community,” he reflects. “Our friends at another private foundation in West Virginia held their retreat here in town and toured the school. They noticed some areas in need of repairs and asked us if we’d match their dollars. We said absolutely.”

(The other private foundation asked to remain anonymous when working with HAF on this project, as they rarely do these types of projects.) 

“They told me to make a wish list for my school and prioritize it,” remembers Principal Angel Gumm. “So I did, and bathrooms were at the top of the list.” 

“We pulled it together,” Jarrett says. “The bathrooms and the lighting in them are about a $140,000 project total, which we were able to do thanks to our donors. “

Donors to HAF included the George & Ailene Edwards Giving Fund by George Edwards, the PracticeLink Community Fund by Ken Allman, and the additional anonymous private foundation.

In total, they gutted and restored four student bathrooms on the school’s main level. They will be open in the coming weeks as students return to class after summer break. 

“It’s been a great project,” Jarrett says. “You don’t see this kind of partnership that often, but it’s possible due to relationships.” 

“Anything we need, we reach out to them and they always find a way to help,” Gumm says of the HAF. “They’re instrumental to our county and our community. I don’t know what we’d do without them.”

But the bathrooms aren’t the only renovation underway at Hinton Area Elementary this summer. 

COVID funds pay for new entrance & more

“We’ve added an updated reception area,” says Superintendent David Warvel. “It’s a $550,000 project.” 

The project includes a new secure entrance, new front office, new conference room for meetings with parents/students, new tile on the first floor, and a new multipurpose room which will be used for physical activities indoors, among other things. Carpet covered most of the floors previously. Now, they are covered in brand new tile. 

All of the funds for this project come from the federal government. 

“It’s COVID money,” Warvel says. “That money had to be used in very specific ways. I’ve tried to work on facilities since I’ve gotten here.”

One feature of the new entrance is that it’s secure, including bulletproof doors and glass. 

“The contractor tested it out himself,” Gumm says with a laugh, “to ensure it worked as intended. It did!”

Warvel is proud of the impact the school makes and grateful for the community support it holds. “A good school system helps out a community in multiple ways. Not only is it a place for our children to learn but it provides a sense of pride in the community.”

“We couldn’t do that without the Hinton Area Foundation or people like Ken, Eileen, and George. They always say, ‘What can I do to help?’”

Will officials try another levy in the future? 

After more than 40 years of voters rejecting an excess levy for school expenses, Warvel is not deterred. He thinks it’s too impactful to students to give up. 

 “Our neighbor Raleigh County has a $20 million levy. We are looking at a $1.3 million levy. That’s already putting these kids at a disadvantage to a neighboring county.”

He says if they aren’t able to find a way to pay for capital expenses in Summers County, the state may encourage them to combine with another county such as Monroe County for schools. “But Monroe has a levy,” he says, “so would there voters like to support our schools too? I don’t think so.” 

In recent months, Warvel has gathered a focus group of community leaders to begin working towards a new levy proposal for voters. “We’re going to try a two-year levy next,” he says, whereas in the past they’ve always proposed five-year levies since they are the norm across the state. “We’re working on it.” 

Warvel is hopeful. “Pound for pound, we do pretty good around here. Thanks to our excellent teachers and generous community supporters.”

“The Hinton Area Foundation gives an award each year to an outstanding teacher,” he says. “Do you know how they spend that money they’re given? They spend it on their classroom. If that doesn’t make you feel warm inside, you’re not real.” 

Summers County students return to classrooms on August 21.