Two former Wayne County school properties could be put up for auction
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Two former Wayne County school properties could be put up for auction
Robert Fields | WVOW News
WAYNE The future of the former Dunlow and Genoa elementary school properties remains uncertain after the Wayne County Board of Education moved toward potentially auctioning the properties.
The board voted 3-1 last week to seek advice on auctioning the surplus properties.
That came after a separate motion to accept informal offers for the properties failed in a two-to-two vote. The offers included $60,000 from the Wayne County Commission and Wayne County Economic Development Authority for the former Genoa Elementary property. The Cabwaylingo Appalachian Mission offered $10,000 for the former Dunlow Elementary property and its kitchen equipment.
The Genoa proposal would turn the property into a community, economic development and public safety facility, including a potential Wayne County EMS station. The Dunlow proposal would allow the Cabwaylingo Appalachian Mission and Dunlow Community Center to expand youth programs, food assistance, mission activities and community events.
The Wayne County Board of Education voted in January to close both Dunlow and Genoa elementary schools as part of a district consolidation plan amid district-wide budget shortfalls and declining enrollment. Wayne County Schools Superintendent Todd Alexander said in February that enrollment has declined by about 1,600 students over the past decade, leaving the district with approximately 5,700 students.
Within that overall decline, Dunlow Elementary School fell from 93 to 44 students (-52.6%), and Genoa Elementary School decreased from 73 to 57 students (-21.9%).
"This will strengthen the District's long-term financial stability and help ensure Wayne County Schools can continue to provide necessary services and meaningful opportunities for all students," Alexander said in a letter to state board Superintendent Michelle Blatt requesting state approval of the closures.
Alexander met with families at Genoa Elementary in December to outline the district’s financial challenges. Wayne County Schools had to cut $4.2 million from its budget before the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.
Closing both schools was projected to save the district nearly $2 million.
The Wayne County Board of Education is expected to discuss the possible auctioning of both properties when they meet next week at the district’s central office in Wayne.
Students from Dunlow and Genoa will attend Wayne Elementary, East Lynn Elementary or Crum PK-8 beginning this fall.
PHOTO | File, West Virginia Department of Education
