U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced today that the Lincoln County Board of Education has been selected to received $593,151, over the next three years, from the U.S. Department of Education's Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program to expand school counseling services at Lincoln County High School (LCHS).

“There is no greater investment one can make than in our children’s education,” said Rahall. “This funding will help Lincoln County reduce the student to counselor ratio, focusing more care and attention on each student. I congratulate the Lincoln County Board of Education for their commitment to the future of our children and the betterment of our schools.”

Although LCHS currently has two guidance counselors on staff, school administrators and parents have expressed a need for additional full-time counselors. This funding will allow LCHS to hire one additional guidance counselor and one new social worker, decreasing the student to counselor ratio from 435:1 to 290:1.

“As a father and Congressman, helping our children attain a top-notch education is one of my primary concerns,” said Rahall. “Expanding counseling services and bringing additional counselors into our local schools is a great way to do just that. I will continue to work to see that our local school districts have the resources they need to provide the highest quality education to southern West Virginia’s students.”