Boone County schools among the latest in statewide string of possible permanent closures

Boone County Schools is considering closing Van High School and Whitesville Elementary as officials work to address an estimated $3.5 million budget deficit.

Van High School (pictured) and Whitesville Elementary are among the latest facilities listed for the permanent chopping block as a new wave of school closures gets underway across West Virginia

Boone County schools among the latest in statewide string of possible permanent school closures

Robert Fields | WVOW News

MADISON Superintendent Allen Sexton said reducing the number of school facilities could generate the savings needed while increasing enrollment at remaining schools.

Van High School Principal Jennifer Dent said the school remains focused on students despite the uncertainty, noting the campus serves as an important gathering place for the community.

Whitesville Elementary School

School officials said the discussions remain in their early stages, and community input will be part of the decision-making process.

The announcement out of Boone County is just the latest in a wave of similar announcements across the Mountain State.

In Mingo County, Dingess Elementary School is next up for consideration on the permanent chopping block, while Raleigh County education officials meet this coming Tuesday to discuss the possible closure and consolidation of Mabscott Elementary.

West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty previously warned that declining enrollment and inadequate funding could force another wave of school closures across the state. He said West Virginia has lost about 5,000 students since the last enrollment count, putting additional financial pressure on county school systems. He described the situation to MetroNews, saying, "the boat's getting ready to hit the rocks."

Governor Patrick Morrisey's administration has said repeated state intervention in county school systems shows West Virginia's current education governance structure is in desperate need of reform.

State Superintendent Michele Blatt said lawmakers previously commissioned a study examining the funding formula, but she said none of its recommendations were adopted during this year's legislative session.

Hardesty warned some county school systems could face financial insolvency and suggested a court challenge may be needed if lawmakers fail to address the state's school funding formula.

In fact, it was a court battle that resulted in the previous major update to the school aid formula all the way back in 1982 following a years-long legal battle.

Read about the possible school closures in Mingo and Raleigh counties here.

PHOTO | vhsclassof1965.com, change.org