Community group urging West Virginia lawmakers to pause recent wave of school closures

As West Virginia experiences another wave of proposed school closures and consolidations, another group made up of community members is urging state lawmakers to act quickly to prevent further closings

Community group urging West Virginia lawmakers to pause recent wave of public school closures

Robert Fields | WVOW News

CHARLESTON Multiple West Virginia schools are being considered for closure next year, prompting community members to call on lawmakers to take action.

Together for Public Schools West Virginia is urging state leaders to help prevent more communities from losing their only schools.

The group is calling for a statewide pause on school closures and consolidations. It also wants a stabilization fund that districts could use to prevent or reverse closures.

The group is also calling for changes to the state’s school funding formula and for the state to take responsibility for appropriately funding public schools.

According to the group's website, Together for Public Schools WV is a statewide coalition of organizations, individuals, parents and school staff who strive to bring every West Virginia child a high-quality public education and a full array of educational and extracurricular services.

Among the recent announcements of expected school closures across southern West Virginia are three schools in Logan County. Superintendent Dr. Sonya White said enrollment declined by about 312 students over the past year countywide, leading officials to consider the permanent closures of Hugh Dingess, South Man and Justice elementary schools.

Boone County Schools, meanwhile, is considering closing Van High School and Whitesville Elementary as officials work to address an estimated $3.5 million budget deficit. In Mingo County, residents are working to keep Dingess Grade School open and in Raleigh County, officials are considering the possibility of consolidating Mabscott Elementary with other nearby schools.