Article written by Ainsley Hall and published in The Journal on May 6, 2026.
MARTINSBURG — Berkeley County Schools invited West Virginia School Building Authority (SBA) Executive Director Andy Neptune to speak during the Board of Education’s regular meeting on May 4. Neptune discussed SBA’s role in the upcoming bond call and answered questions before the community votes on May 12.
Neptune began by saying his visit is a bit unusual because he usually comes to celebrate finished bond projects, but tonight he was here to answer questions concerning the SBA. Board President Jackee Long thanked Neptune and the SBA for supporting Berkeley County and considering these projects as the need for more schools continues to grow. Board member Damon Wright asked if the bond doesn’t pass, how will that hurt consideration from the SBA for future bonds. Neptune said that he doesn’t believe that will factor in the final decision.
“We evaluate the need as it comes across our desk,” Neptune said. “So, without dwelling too much on if it doesn’t, but when it does, I hope that this board will be reconsidering attempting again, given the list that I saw. You don’t want to say that hurts that need or whatever. That’s the need that comes across, the desire of each county, and we evaluate that and look at that very seriously, not the fact that, well it didn’t pass the first time so we’re not that interested.”
Wright said that if it does pass, the schools would be able to get students out of trailers and into regular classrooms. Overcrowded schools impact staff morale and increases bad student behavior. The bond won’t just build new buildings but will impact the entire school district. Neptune added that need is defined differently depending on where you go in the state, but looking at the Eastern Panhandle, the schools need more chairs.
Long then asked if the bond doesn’t pass, if they must wait another year to get SBA approval before trying again. However, the schools will just have to reevaluate and resubmit in time to be accepted in September and put on the ballot in November. Board Member Melissa Power thanked the SBA for their support, as well as Board Member Michael Martin who talked about how sometimes the Eastern Panhandle needs often feels ignored in Charleston, so having support from the SBA feels refreshing. Saxe echoed the board’s sentiment, adding the there has never been an SBA executive director that has been a better friend to Berkeley County Schools.