The state school board approves closures and consolidations

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – “The upper Kanawha Valley always seems to get the short end of the stick and here is another case where the upper Kanawha Valley is getting the short end of the stick,” said Bruce Cox, a math teacher at East Bank Middle School.

The West Virginia Board of Education on Wednesday approved the closure of Belle, Malden, Midland Trail and Mary Ingles Elementary, along with the Kanawha County Board’s decision to consolidate McKinley Middle into Hayes Middle School and East Bank into DuPont Middle.

Kanawha County Schools Superintendent Tom Williams said holding public closure hearings was traumatic for everyone involved.

“It’s scary, and it’s sad, and it’s sad for the kids, because who wouldn’t want their kids to go to a small school,” Williams said.

Some from the community approached the state government asking them to keep the existing schools open. State board member Paul Hardesty said the declining population does not support the necessary funding.

“I wish I had a different outcome, a different answer, but I don’t. All I have is the West Virginia code to adhere to, and right now the funding formula for public education is seriously flawed,” Hardesty said.

If the School Building Authority approves $20 million in funding next month, the elementary schools would be combined into one new school.

Bruce Cox said he has six grandchildren at the affected schools. He spoke to the school board about his concerns about longer bus routes.

“It’s really about honor and integrity. Present the facts, they can still vote 5-0 to close or unanimously to close, but present the facts precisely and then vote that way.

Cox worries his grandson won’t have the same sports experience at a combined school.

“He was on the football team for the first time. Will he have had the same opportunity when they merged with DuPont, when you know 50 or 60 kids instead of just 25 or 30? I can’t say for sure whether he would or not, but there will definitely be an impact. They will have one team instead of two teams.”

The School Building Authority said they have about $54 million to fund new schools. Superintendent Williams said they have applied for $20 million and will provide $10 million to build a new elementary school if it is approved.

For previous coverage >>> The board votes to close the sixth school