WEST UNION, W.Va. — The Doddridge County Board of Education took action on several significant items during its regular meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026, highlighting continued investment in opportunities for students and families, strong community partnerships, and responsible stewardship of district resources.

EXPANDING INTERNET ACCESS FOR DODDRIDGE COUNTY FAMILIES

One of the evening’s major highlights was an update on the district’s partnership with Citynet and an exciting new opportunity designed to help connect Doddridge County Schools students and families to reliable broadband internet service at home.

The foundation for this effort dates back to 2019, when the Doddridge County Board of Education committed $600,000 alongside a $1.5 million investment from the Doddridge County Commission to help advance broadband expansion throughout Doddridge County. As the project evolved and additional funding opportunities became available, Citynet was able to leverage more than $12 million in federal funding to significantly expand broadband infrastructure across the county.

During Monday evening’s meeting, Mr. Martin with Citynet joined the Board to discuss the progress of the partnership and the next opportunity it will provide for local families.

Through the program, households located in Doddridge County with a student currently enrolled in Doddridge County Schools will have the opportunity to receive broadband internet service, including standard installation and necessary equipment, at no cost during the program period, currently scheduled to continue through July 31, 2027.

For households located outside Citynet’s existing service area, efforts will be made to provide comparable internet service through the best available means, with the goal of transitioning those households to full Citynet service as infrastructure and service become available.

Families will not automatically be enrolled in a paid plan when the program ends, and no charges will begin unless a family chooses to continue service.

Additional information regarding enrollment and next steps will be shared with families as the program moves forward.

This next phase of the partnership demonstrates what can be accomplished when local organizations work together with a shared commitment to their community. An investment that began years ago to expand broadband access continues to create meaningful opportunities today—helping connect students and families to the reliable internet access needed for learning, communication, workforce opportunities, and everyday life.

What began as a vision to strengthen connectivity across Doddridge County is now creating a direct and meaningful benefit for local families, marking another important step forward in expanding opportunities for the community.

BOARD MOVES FORWARD WITH SALE OF FORMER GREENBRIER ROAD PROPERTY

The Board also took action regarding district-owned property located at 6251 Greenbrier Road. The property was originally purchased with the goal of expanding opportunities and supporting the continued growth of agricultural education in Doddridge County.

Following extensive opportunities for input from community members, stakeholders, and those connected to the agricultural program, it became evident that the property’s location has created challenges to achieving the level of accessibility, utilization, and student engagement originally envisioned.

With the continued growth and future of agricultural education in mind, the Board determined that a more meaningful investment in the program can be achieved by redirecting resources closer to where students learn each day. During Monday’s meeting, the Board declared the facility, two associated parcels, and contents as surplus property no longer needed for school purposes and authorized the Superintendent and/or designee to proceed with disposal of the property through public auction in accordance with West Virginia Code §18-5-7.

The Board also approved the engagement of Kaufman Realty & Auctions to conduct the public auction under terms reviewed and approved by legal counsel.

The Board intends to focus on renovations and improvements to the existing meats lab located on the Doddridge County High School campus. Bringing additional resources and opportunities directly to the school campus will provide greater accessibility for students, strengthen connections to existing agricultural and CTE programming, and open the door for future possibilities and continued program growth.

This decision reflects the Board’s commitment to listening to its community, evaluating how district resources can have the greatest impact, and continuing to invest in meaningful opportunities for students. While the approach has evolved, the goal remains the same: to strengthen agricultural education and create sustainable opportunities for the program to grow and serve students well into the future.

LOOKING AHEAD

Monday evening’s meeting reflected the Board’s continued commitment to thoughtful decision-making, responsible stewardship, and creating meaningful opportunities for Doddridge County students, families, and the broader community.

As these initiatives move forward, Doddridge County Schools will continue to share information and updates, ensuring our community remains informed and connected along the way.

United to Make a Difference — Creating Moments That Matter today while building opportunities for tomorrow