Lewis County Schools had received $2,842,580.65 in flood-cleanup invoices by the Board of Education's August 24 meeting, and administrators cautioned that the figure represents work completed so far—not the full cost of restoring damaged facilities.
Robert L. Bland Middle School accounts for $1,618,982.03. Cleanup at the Board of Education building totals $1,151,388.28, while smaller losses at Leading Creek Elementary and Peterson-Central Elementary combine for $72,210.34. Middle-school cleanup remains incomplete, including Category 3 mud beneath the building, and future work includes elevators, athletic facilities, rebuilding, and replacing damaged contents.
The district had not yet received an insurance reimbursement at the time of the meeting. Assistant Superintendent Tim Payton was working with an adjuster to complete and submit documentation. Long-term choices remain open: repairing the middle school or investing in a different facility would each require millions beyond the current remediation bill.
Meanwhile, staff are preparing WVU Jackson's Mill to receive middle-school students September 8. The district planned a trial school day with student volunteers to test transportation, walking distances, class changes, food service, and other campus logistics before the first full day.