Judge's order halts school closure proceedings for South Man
LOGAN A Logan County Circuit Court judge has halted part of Logan County Schools' ongoing school closure process, resulting in the cancellation of Wednesday evening's special meeting at Man High School.
Circuit Court Judge Sabrina Deskins granted a restraining order Wednesday morning in response to a lawsuit filed October thirtieth by attorney Steven Wolfe. The lawsuit seeks to block public hearings and action concerning the proposed permanent closure of South Man Elementary School.
The lawsuit argues that the school closure process should be put on hold until related legal issues are resolved. Wolfe pointed to a pending case originating in Lincoln County before the West Virginia Supreme Court challenging the state's school aid funding formula, which determines how state education funding is distributed to county school systems on a per-pupil basis.
The state's decades-old funding formula has become part of a broader debate as declining enrollment continues to affect school systems across West Virginia.
In Logan County, Justice Addition, Hugh Dingess and South Man elementary schools have all been targeted for permanent closure. Logan County Schools has cited declining enrollment and the high costs of maintaining school buildings as reasons for the proposed closures.
The court's order cancels the Wednesday evening hearing at Man High School and postpones the board's planned November twelfth vote concerning South Man Elementary.
However, the order does not cancel all of the remaining public hearings scheduled by the school system.
The public hearing was held Thursday evening at the Chapmanville Regional High School auditorium. Another hearing is scheduled for Monday at Logan High School beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Logan Elementary is also expected to remain closed following a February fire that forced students and staff to relocate to Logan Middle School. The temporary arrangement is expected to become permanent.
Logan County Schools acknowledged the cancellation of Wednesday's meeting in a statement but did not specifically reference the lawsuit.
The legal challenge comes as school closures and declining enrollment continue to generate debate and legal challenges across West Virginia.
