Sierra Marling

Funding approved at the West Virginia First Foundation's first annual meeting on Dec. 12, 2024, marked nearly $40 million in total funding commitments made in a week.This week's funding pushes include the initial $10.4 million in Initial Opportunity Grant funding approved at the meeting, the announcement of the $8.8 million supplemental round, and the direct funding of $20 million allocated for ACCORN (Accelerated Collaborative Community Outreach and Recovery Network).

Exceptional Possibilities is an organization working to create events and share resources for individuals and families navigating disabilities. The three founders -- Michelle Robinson, Alexa Kirkwood, and Morgan Goodall -- hosted an adaptive toy giveaway on Dec. 7 , 2024, at the South Charleston Community Center. The event, led by founders who met while working with special needs children at Ruffner Elementary, featured hot chocolate, sensory bins, photos with Santa, and the star attraction—adaptive toys.Exceptional Possibilities also expanded into other endeavors this year, consulting with the founders of the Charleston Dirty Birds Light the Night event to make it more accessible.On Dec. 9, 2024, Kanawha County Schools hosted its first Sensory Friendly Santa event at Grandview Elementary, offering a calm, inclusive space for children with disabilities and their families. Alongside Santa and Mrs. Claus, the event featured hot chocolate, fun activities, and special education resources for parents.

The West Virginia School Building Authority awarded Kanawha County Schools with $20 million at its quarterly meeting Tuesday morning.

Over the next three years, Kanawha County Schools and Putnam County Schools will receive $45 million from the West Virginia School Building Authority for new school building projects. The funding awards were announced by the SBA on Dec. 17, 2024.

By Sierra Marling [email protected] The Tri-State's TRUSTED news source. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to Herald-Dispatch.

Members of the West Virginia First Foundation circumvented its typical proposal process to allocate $20 million to Marshall University's Division of Addiction Sciences. The funding is part of a $30 million pool of money collected to apply for an additional grant that will fuel a regional initiative, called Addiction Continuum of Care for Optimal Regional Navigation, or ACCORN, which aims to establish a comprehensive care system across 10 of West Virginia's hardest-hit counties. The program targets Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Putnam, Raleigh, and Wayne counties, which together represent a population of nearly 600,000.

Nitro High School math and engineering teacher Adam Wolfe was awarded the Milken Educator Award on Dec. 17, 2024, at a surprise assembly at the high school in Nitro, West Virginia. According to Stephanie Bishop, vice president of the Milken Educator Awards, there's no application for this award. The Milken Foundation targets early-to-mid career education professionals across the country who complete outstanding work both in and outside of their school and surprise them with the no-strings-attached cash award.

Emily Calandrelli, a mechanical engineer, author, and STEM advocate from Morgantown, West Virginia, made history as the 100th woman to journey into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. A graduate of West Virginia University (WVU) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Calandrelli is known for her work in promoting science education and advocating for women in STEM. She has written award-winning children’s books and hosted the TV show Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix. In addition to her scientific achievements, Calandrelli has been involved in philanthropy, raising funds for foster care and educational programs in West Virginia, including the Children's Home Society of West Virginia. She was named the 2024 West Virginian of the Year by the Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Tom Williams, superintendent of Kanawha County Schools in West Virginia, has announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

At its meeting on Dec. 19, 2024, the Kanawha County Schools Board of Education in Charleston, West Virginia approved $956,124 for 25 new vehicles. There were two separate items on the agenda for these purchases. The first was for 23 2025 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Vans from for $848,792. The second was for two trucks — a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Regular Cab Diesel truck and one 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Extended Cab truck — for $107,332. Both purchases would be made from Mid-State Automotive Inc. since KCS piggybacks off of its contract with the state.According to Superintendent Tom Williams, KCS has 72 vehicles in its maintenance fleet. The majority of those vehicles are trucks and cargo vans, with an average model year of 2008.