Mingo County Schools shares more info on possible elementary school closure

Dingess Elementary school is among the facilities across West Virginia facing possible closure as public school enrollment continues to decline statewide and the state's school funding formula provides little to no relief

Mingo County Schools shares more info on possible elementary school closure

Robert Fields | WVOW News

WILLIAMSON Mingo County Schools released more details this week as it considers closing Dingess Elementary after the 2026-27 school year.

District leaders say fewer than 70 students attend the school, while repairing and bringing the facility up to date would cost the district an estimated $9.2 million.

The district also points to families relocating, homeschooling, private schooling and increased participation in the Hope Scholarship as factors behind declining enrollment.

A public hearing on the proposed closure is scheduled for October 22, with a county vote set for October 27. The closure would then require approval from the West Virginia Board of Education.

If approved, students would move to Lenore Pre-K through eighth grade. Bus routes would also be adjusted to keep student rides under one hour.

Mingo County is among several districts facing school closures as enrollment declines and funding pressures continue statewide.

The factors cited by Mingo County Schools closely mirror those cited by education officials in Logan County in an FAQ released over the weekend following the announcement of the proposed closures of South Man, Justice and Hugh Dingess elementary schools.

Each of those facilities saw enrollment under 100 students for at least the past four years and would require millions of dollars per school to maintain and update.

The West Virginia Department of Education says about 5,000 students left public schools during the 2025-26 school year. State officials estimate another eight to 10 schools could close this year.

State education officials have also called for changes to the school funding formula, while a legislative study found the current formula does not adequately address the needs of low-income and special-needs students. Despite the findings of that study, no actions made it through the State Legislature in this year’s session.

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