PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Thousands of dollars in new computer equipment can be found throughout the newly renovated and expanded Scott Teays Elementary School in Scott Depot.

A major project to upgrade the school is getting the “finishing touches” in time for school to start, according to principal Beth Pitzer.

Families packed the hallways to see the technology and classrooms kids will have access to this school year during an open house Friday.

Nearly $1 Million in local money went into the construction at Scott Teays.

Kim Gray's daughter, Morgan, is getting ready to start her last year at Scott Teays.

"Oh, it's wonderful, a great improvement for our community. We definitely needed a bigger school, and the teachers here are absolutely wonderful," says Gray.

Angie Simpkins has a son going into 4th grade.

"Oh, you can't even recognize it. Even the old part, you wouldn't recognize," says Simpkins.

Principal Pitzer says simply having everyone in the same building, instead of portable classrooms outside, will improve things at the school.

"The environment's so much better, and it's safer because we've gotten rid of the portables. We're all under the same roof. We've never had that experience before. We can all communicate better, and I think the children will be safer. And, I think they're going to be excited about learning because of all the technology that we have," says Pitzer.

That technology includes smart boards, which allow kids to interact more and gives teachers a high-tech way to present information.

Teacher Marsha Cobb says it's a major step toward improving her response to kids' needs.

"If a student's having a problem, I know about it now, not tonight when I'm grading papers," says Cobb. "We're entering the 21st century. We need computers, and we need high-tech. And, we weren't high-tech, but we are now."

The changes will not be limited to Scott Teays alone.

That's because last year Putnam County voters approved a school bond.

With that, tens of millions of dollars are going toward construction and renovations at several of the county's schools.