Superintendent to answer questions surrounding closure of Logan Elementary School
Logan County Schools superintendent to answer questions surrounding closure of Logan Elementary following February fire
Robert Fields | WVOW News
LOGAN Logan County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sonya White is scheduled to answer questions about the decision to permanently close Logan Elementary School following a fire that damaged the building in February.
Dr. White will be a guest tomorrow on WVOW’s What’s Your Opinion at 9:30 on 101.9FM and 1290AM.
Students at Logan Elementary have been attending classes at Logan Middle School since the fire, which school district officials say caused extensive smoke damage throughout nearly every room of the structure. Captain Chris Hatfield of the City of Logan Fire Department said the fire was contained to one room, with “heat extension” into two smaller offices. An investigation by the state Fire Marshal’s Office revealed extensive soot damage to nearly every room of the building, including the HVAC system.
The cause of the fire was reportedly faulty wiring in a room near the center of the school.
The announcement of a permanent closure came as a shock to many parents of grade school students. Shana Thompson said on MetroNews Midday that she received the call after months of asking questions and not receiving answers.
"We received a robocall saying 'Logan Elementary will not be reopened.' Before even a press release was made about it, we received a robocall," she said. "So, there's not been great transparency. I've asked, and other parents have been begging for information, for plans, options, and we just haven't been given that information."
One question parents have asked is why students from Logan Elementary can’t be transferred to Justice, where another elementary school was put on the permanent chopping block due to declining enrollment and county school district finances. Speaking of finances, another question that many residents are asking is what has become or will become of the insurance payout money from the fire. Director of Operational Support Andrew Dotson reported back in June that the district had been having weekly meetings with an insurance adjuster, but the district has not announced whether or not it’s received a payout.
Logan County Schools has, however, said it will seek funding from the West Virginia School Building Authority to renovate Logan Middle School and modify the facility to better serve both elementary and middle school students.
On Monday’s What’s Your Opinion, Reverend Michael Pollard suggested that if a fire could shut down the elementary school, it could happen to any other facility.
"What if one of our high schools — Logan, Man or Chapmanville — had a bad incident, a fire such as this, and they had to shut the school down because of fire and smoke damage," Pollard asked. "What would be the contingency plan for the rest of the school year for those students from either of those three high schools? Have they thought forward about something such as that?"
Again, tune in Wednesday morning at 9:30 for What’s Your Opinion, featuring special guest Logan County Superintendent Dr. Sonya White
PHOTO | Logan County Schools (edits by Shana Nelson - WVOW News)
