Board approves contracts, off-site food plan as Morgantown High kitchen, cafeteria and sewer work proceeds

The Monongalia County Board of Education on July 22 approved contracts and a temporary kitchen lease to keep student meals flowing while Morgantown High’s kitchen, cafeteria and nearby sewer lines are renovated.

The action covers phased work on the school’s “back of the house” kitchen area, separate cafeteria renovation work and sewer-line repairs beneath the building. The board approved a lease with Chico Enterprises to prepare food off-site for the first semester while the kitchen’s first phase is completed, and it awarded construction work to FMS Construction and City Construction for cafeteria and sewer projects.

Board members and staff said the first renovation phase — focused on equipment and the cooks’ workspace — is due to be finished by January. Jennifer, a staff member who worked on the lease, told the board, “we are leasing their kitchen for food preparation.” She said some cooks will work at Chico Enterprises and others at the school to ensure meals are delivered to students.

The district said the lease was written to cover a longer term than expected to avoid last-minute scramble if the renovation is delayed. Jennifer said the district will provide the owner with surety by issuing a purchase order rather than a traditional cash deposit: “we issue a purchase order for anything that we buy, and we would do a purchase order anyway for the lease payments…that would be drawn on that purchase order for the lease term.”

Board members asked about food safety and logistics. Staff said the county maintenance food truck will transport prepared meals: “it will be the truck that transports the food, and that's that was the original design of that truck when we purchased it.” The health department will inspect the off-site prep when food preparation begins, staff said.

Board members also approved City Construction to address sewer-line work beneath Morgantown High and awarded FMS Construction the cafeteria renovation contract. The board noted these are complex renovations because they occur inside an existing building and will require staged work to keep parts of the campus functioning.

Funding for the work combines U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) funds and local money, the board heard. The board voted to approve the lease and construction contracts; motions were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: The work affects daily meal service, student access to school food and campus operations during the first semester. District officials said the arrangements are intended to minimize disruption while completing necessary repairs and upgrades.

Looking ahead: Staff said the district will return contract documents as needed for final signatures and that continued oversight — including health-department inspections and periodic board updates — will follow as the projects proceed.