BRIDGEPORT, Ohio — Bridgeport Schools’ new campus project, The Bridge, is set to expand educational and community services with funding from $13.8 million dollars in leftover COVID-19 relief grants at no additional cost to taxpayers, says Bridgeport Schools Superintendent Brent Ripley.
River News met with Ripley to clarify the funding concerns voiced by some area residents.
The 35,000 square foot campus expansion was funded through leftover COVID-19 relief money rather than local levies. Ripley noted, “It’s very important that our constituents in Bridgeport have just been very supportive of the school district.”
Ripley emphasized that the initiative comes at no additional cost to taxpayers, noting the district’s goal to “break the generational cycle of poverty” and prepare students with skills for college or careers.
Ripley said the district anticipates adding faculty or staff positions as part of The Bridge expansion.
Ripley said the project is designed to “do the impossible for Bridgeport, not just for kids, but for our community.” The campus expansion will offer workforce training, health services including mental health and dental, college credit courses, daycare, and fitness programs, all open to students and local residents.
Ripley emphasized the scope of the new programs at The Bridge, which include educational opportunities, a health aide program, workforce training, and community services. Programs range from EMT and veterinary assistant courses to drone certification and college credit plus classes, with partnerships across West Virginia and Ohio universities and local organizations. Some of the organizations on board with the project include Ohio Means Jobs, Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services, and the NAACP.
WVU Medicine will have a health clinic offering services to the community plus job training opportunities for students. Private businesses including a gym, daycare and coffee shop will also operate on campus. The two-story gym will feature a walking track and Silver Sneakers programs for senior citizens. There will also be a community area available to rent for gatherings.
The initiative also addresses community needs like daycare, mental health services, and adult fitness programs. Brunner explained, “We are servant-led people. We’re made to serve one another in some way, shape or form…Our goal with this building…is to break the generational cycle of poverty.”
Ripley highlighted the importance of inclusivity: “These services are for anybody. We’re gonna have job training, social services, mental health, and physical health components for the whole community.”
On academic performance, Brunner noted the district’s goals for students: “Every kid to graduate…if they want to take college credit plus with an associate’s degree or higher…or workforce credentialing. Job-shadowing skills. We want to increase that metric so that we’re one of the highest in the state.”
The district plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony tentatively near the start of new school year in 2026 with full project completion expected by December 2026.
