Board approves playground equipment purchases; officials highlight role of excess levy funding

The Monongalia County Board of Education on July 22 approved a slate of playground equipment purchases for district schools and emphasized the importance of the district’s excess levy in funding most of the work.

District staff reviewed a list of playground projects and the sites scheduled for new equipment. The board president highlighted that the packet included 15 items and said, “10 of them are funded by the excess levy,” underscoring the levy’s role in enabling facility improvements.

Staff described the procurement and installation process: schools and parent groups help select equipment; purchases are installed by qualified company technicians; and levy allocations fund the purchases. Specific schools named for upcoming equipment included Eastwood and North among others.

Board members unanimously approved the purchases. Staff and board members urged continued public support for the excess levy, which they said funds nonrecurring projects such as playgrounds.

Why it matters: Playground equipment upgrades affect student safety, recess programming and school facilities; excess levy funding allows the district to make capital improvements beyond the operating budget.

Next steps: Staff will coordinate ordering and installation with vendors and report back to the board on timelines and completed installs.