FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Marion County Schools are pushing back the timeline for installing mantrap entrances at 10 school buildings, with completion now expected by next summer. The district is balancing the safety upgrades with other measures aimed at protecting students and staff.

In December, the West Virginia School Building Authority granted the county $2.7 million for the project, which will add secure mantrap entrances at Barrackville Elementary/Middle, Blackshere Elementary, East Fairmont Middle, Fairview Middle, Jayenne Elementary, Monongah Elementary, Pleasant Valley Elementary, Rivesville Elementary/Middle, Watson Elementary and White Hall Elementary.

"We're set to open those bids within days, and we hope to begin construction on them," Superintendent Donna Heston said. "When we first put them out to bid, we wanted to have them completed over the summer and finished by October. We've extended that to December for half of them, and next summer for the other half."

Heston explained that the initial bid window in June failed to attract contractors due to the tight schedule. By splitting the project into two phases, the district secured bids and is working to minimize classroom disruptions during the 2025-26 school year.

"It's our goal to minimize interruptions to the instructional day," Heston said. "We're working with the fire marshal to make sure they are keeping our ingresses and egresses for our students, staff and families open. We hope to accomplish the work during off-school hours and into next summer to minimize those interruptions."

In addition to the construction, the district is improving its emergency preparedness. Former Marion County Sheriff Jimmy Riffle, who has been consulting with the school system on safety, announced that each school is being 3D scanned to create detailed digital maps for local first responders.

“Once those scans are completed, (the Marion County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management) will put those together, and what you will basically have is a 3D tour of the schools," Riffle said in April. "What we envision with those would be fire, EMS and the police departments having tabletop discussions on, if there’s a fire in the cafeteria (for example), which doorways they would enter. ...

“Somebody could be watching the (map) as they enter and direct them through the smoke. If there’s someone causing problems, it could direct (responders) to the specific room. It will provide security for those areas.”

Heston noted the 3D scans should be finalized by the end of July.
Marion County Schools continue to prioritize student safety through layered measures, including physical infrastructure upgrades and technology investments. The district has also enhanced collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency agencies. Community meetings will be scheduled this fall to update families on construction progress and the new security procedures once the mantraps and 3D mapping are in place.

Originally reported by John Mark Shaver in WV News.