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CONSOL Energy partners with West Greene School District to support Pioneer Project

4 min read
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During the Sept. 13 West Greene Pioneers vs. Jefferson-Morgan Rockets high school football game, CONSOL Energy Inc. announced its commitment of a $100,000 grant to support the West Greene School District’s Pioneer Project.

Launched in January 2013, the Pioneer Project is an $18 million capital plan to renovate the existing West Greene shared Middle-Senior High School facility, which was built in 1957, and construct a new elementary school, which will replace two older existing schools, to accommodate 775 students who reside in the district’s nine townships. One of five school districts in Greene County, West Greene comprises more than half of Greene County and has the largest geographic area.

The project is being implemented in two phases. The auditorium at the Middle-Senior High School facility is currently being renovated and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2013. The kitchen in this facility is undergoing extensive renovations and is also on track to be completed in the next few days. Groundbreaking for the new elementary school took place in July 2013 and is projected to be completed by December 2014.

“We greatly appreciate the opportunity from CONSOL to continue the positive relationship and productive partnership that we have shared, which has benefitted our students for many years. It is only through such help by the West Greene community, local businesses and industries that our public school system can continue to provide high quality education and global connections,” said Thelma Szarell, superintendent of West Greene School District. “CONSOL Energy has been particularly responsive to our needs. We are very appreciative of their generosity and support at this time.”

“CONSOL Energy is committed to supporting the communities where we operate and where our employees reside,” said Laural Ziemba, Director of Community Relations. “West Greene School District is home to our Bailey- Enlow Fork Mine Complex, including the BMX mine which is scheduled to come online next year, as well as a majority of our southwestern Pennsylvania Gas Operations. The Pioneer Project is important to the families, and especially the children, that reside in these communities and we are proud to be able to support an effort that will have an immediate positive impact.”

“CONSOL Energy and West Greene have shared the same backyard for generations. We are linked together through people and geography. Everyone at West Greene has ties to someone that works for CONSOL. We are a close-knit community and CONSOL is a very important thread that runs through it,” said Kelly Loughman, president of the West Greene Parent-Teacher Organization. “The West Greene School District’s students will benefit tremendously from this generous grant. We are grateful that CONSOL recognizes that our greatest resource is our children.”

Dubbed “CONSOL and Pioneers Lucky Friday,” in honor of the company’s commitment to the Pioneer Project, the West Greene School District invited CONSOL Energy to act as official host for the Pioneers’ first home football game of the 2013 season. Concessions were provided courtesy of CONSOL Energy and in addition, CONSOL Energy employees worked alongside the football boosters at the concession stands, greeted fans at the entrance, and cheered on the Pioneers alongside students, parents, teachers and school administrators.

“I want to thank CONSOL Energy for recognizing the needs of the West Greene community and helping our children receive the educational opportunities they deserve,” said state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson. “This contribution helps the students and the tax payers.”

“CONSOL has deep roots in Greene County and has been a strong and reliable community partner for many years,” added State Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg. “I’m pleased to have been invited to participate in tonight’s announcement and I applaud CONSOL’s contributions to the West Greene community.”

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