Millions in Upgrades Already Set for Bridgeport High Improvements and Millions More Planned for Future
By Jeff Toquinto on March 05, 2026
Late last year, Harrison County Superintendent Dora Stutler talked about the multi-million dollar Bridgeport High School project that was awarded funding from the West Virginia School Building Authority.
She also quickly pointed out that the plans for BHS are multi-phased, and this was the first phase of what could very well be a project in the tens of millions of dollars. She also pointed to James “Jamie” Kosik, the Supervisor of Facilities and Transportation for Harrison 
County Schools, as the person to get more detailed information from.
County Schools, as the person to get more detailed information from.
Kosik talked about the phase that was awarded funding, as well as phases that will be addressed in the years ahead. The goal, Stutler said, was to use local funds and match them with SBA dollars to make the projects feasible.
Matching funds with the SBA is what will allow the first phase – estimated to be at $7 million – work. The SBA awarded BHS $3,497,447 for the project with the rest a match from Harrison County Schools.
“We pretty much did a dollar for dollar match on the first phase,” said Kosik.
In the first phase, there will be new media center, new administrative offices, and a main and secure entrance. Restrooms will also be included.
Planning is already taking place for the first phase. Work is going from conceptual to actual design with timelines not yet in place.
The design work in Phase I will involve Kosik, the BHS administration, Stutler, Administrative Assistant for Secondary Schools and Curriculum Development Pam Knight, Harrison Schools maintenance staff, and others critical to the project.
What is probably of interest for those in the community is what the final two phases of the project entail. It will help make the school built in 1963 more up to par with a high school that has not been able to keep up with the growth in the student population.
The second phase involves much more needed improvements. It will focus on a needed cafeteria expansion, a new vocational agriculture classroom, and the addition of a science lab.
“It’s early to estimate a price tag, but I’m fairly confident that it will be a multi-million dollar project much like the first phase,” said Kosik. 
“This, like all three phases, will require SBA dollars.”
“This, like all three phases, will require SBA dollars.”
To get SBA dollars in future phases, Harrison County Schools will need two things. First is a solid estimate of the cost, as well as dollars needed locally to help match dollars provided by the SBA. Neither of those things are in place.
Stutler and Kosik both said that the third phase will be the one that will draw the most attention. It is also safe to say it will be the most expensive.
The third phase, which also will be several years down the road, involves the creation of a new gymnasium. Stutler called it one big enough to “host regional events from sports and beyond.”
So, where will it be?
The initial plan is for it to be situated on the property located between Bridgeport Middle School and Bridgeport High School. The large open space appears to be perfect for the project. However, there is an issue that city officials have been collaborating with school officials and consultants to get around – there is infrastructure, including a massive culvert, underneath that site.
“We’ll continue to work with the school board regarding the infrastructure,” Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth told Council at a past meeting.
If it does end up being constructed in that area, Kosik said it will have a connection between BMS and BHS. He also said this project will “easily be in the millions of dollars.”
Kosik cautioned that plans for that are just getting started.
“It is more exploratory at this point. We’re not into serious discussions or even the conceptual phase. It’s exploratory at this point,” said Kosik.
