ROARING SPRING — Spring Cove School Board members unanimously approved an improvement grant resolution for necessary facility upgrades to Martinsburg Elementary School during Tuesday’s meeting.

The proposed project would include window and door replacements, as well as health and safety improvements and HVAC controls.

According to Superintendent Betsy Baker, the project’s total cost is $641,150, which includes an allocated grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of $480,862 and an additional and required 25% district match of $160,287 from the capital projects fund balance.

Baker recently received project totals, including windows costing $345,000; doors costing $230,000; automatic external defibrillators costing $2,505; train controls costing $25,370; and fire alarm systems costing $38,274.

Depending on how the district is billed, she said a portion of the $160,287 district match can fall into this year’s budget, with the remaining amount tacked onto next year’s budget as well.

Baker believes the grant will be approved by fall 2026, leaving the district able to quickly order the AED and train controls, while other materials — such as windows, doors and the fire alarm system — will require bids.

Windows and doors take a while to order and will need to be replaced during the summer, she said, which will result in those project costs falling into next year’s budget.

In other business, the board conducted an informal vote to add buildings and grounds improvements — including a new district box truck and upgrades to the Spring Cove Middle School — to the upcoming annual budget meeting, except for resurfacing the Central High School track.

The district box truck is experiencing operational concerns, Baker said, as it undergoes a lot of damage due to making continuous stops.

As the track turns nine years old, board President Amy Acker-Knisley said she’s “fine with pushing the track. The truck, I think it’s non-negotiable.”

Board member Misti Fisher agreed to upgrading the box truck and suggested the district van be added to the budget list to transport students who participate in sports and extracurricular activities.

Member Troy Wright, however, said both the district box truck and the high school track should also be upgraded because of continuous wear-and-tear damage.

Since the majority of board members said that upgrading the box truck is a bigger priority, it will be included in March’s budget meeting.

All board members were present at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.