Highlights is a 30 minute weekly TV show featuring organizations, events, grass-roots efforts and people who move our state and community forward in a positive way. (This show is a special 1-hour edition)
The show is a collaboration with Kanawha County Schools, Optimum Communications and Jim Strawn & Company.
The show airs daily at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Optimum’s channel 17.
The show airing July 31, 2023 – August 14, 2023 features Kanawha County Schools and the new Herbert Hoover High School.
We interviewed Superintendent, Dr. Tom Williams, Board Member, Ric Cavender, Principal of Herbert Hoover, Mike Kelley, and Clendenin Mayor Kay Summers.
Dr. Williams discussed the ‘state’ of Kanawha County Schools. He was confident we are preparing students well for their future. He talked about the core programs, consolidation, school safety, and how impressed he is with the new Herbert Hoover. He says it is something we should on be proud of. As he enters his 4th year at the helm, he once again is anxiously excited for the first day of school in Kanawha County on Friday August 18th.
Then he invited everyone out for the special ceremony to open the new Herbert Hoover on Saturday, August 19th. Time and details to be arranged.
Mr. Cavender discussed the role of the Board of Education members. He is joined by 4 other members. It is an elected position. He is in his 2nd term.
Mr. Kelley talked about the journey the new Herbert Hoover High School has had since a devasting flood in June of 2016 lead to the closure
During the ‘1000-year’ flood, the school building was damaged beyond repair when the Elk River put 7 feet of water into the school. On July 21, 2016 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared the building a total loss and the Kanawha County School Board began expedited plans for a new building, however several delays prevented the advancement of the project, and the new facility is not expected to be opened until approximately 2022. For the 2016–17 school year, students shared space, via a split schedule, with Elkview Middle School. This involved each group attending school for four-and-one-half hours per day with reading and homework assignments. A temporary campus of modified mobile home-type units known as “modulars” was constructed adjacent to the middle school, and a normal schedule was resumed for the 2017–18 school year. FEMA provided the modulars and will fund approximately 75 to 80% of the cost for the new building.The old, damaged building was demolished in September of 2018.
He says it has taken a lot of perseverance, grit, determination, and pride to get through. Not only did the students of Hoover excel in the classroom but in athletics as well.
He discussed the Ribbon Cutting, set for August 19th on the campus and specifically taking place on the football field.
Country music star, Brad Paisley, will be on hand to commemorate the opening.
Mayor Summers is so proud of all involved as the dream of a new high school is finally coming to fruitition. She is also proud of the continued bounce back of Clendenin since the floods. WIth businesses, housing, restaurants, and more sprouting up, Clendenin is on the rise.
She also mentioned the new Clendenin Elementary is coming along and set to open in 2024.
To learn more about Clendenin, contact them at Town Hall: (304) 548-4192.
If you would like to learn more about the Highlights TV Show, contact Host and Executive Producer Jim Strawn at 304-541-4756.
