News Summary
The public hearing regarding the proposed closure of Pickens K-12 School has been canceled just 90 minutes before it was scheduled to start. Randolph County Superintendent announced the decision, citing new funding information as a reason for the postponement. While the potential closure has been temporarily averted, future hearings may still be necessary if the funding does not materialize. The Randolph County Schools district continues to face challenges amid discussions of other school closures in the area, as community members remain engaged in advocating for their schools’ futures.
Pickens, WV – The public hearing set to discuss the proposed closure of Pickens K-12 School was abruptly canceled on Tuesday night, just 90 minutes before it was supposed to begin. Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shawn Dilly announced the decision on social media shortly before 4 p.m., citing “new information related to funding” as the primary reason for postponing the hearing.
According to Chief Business Official and Treasurer Brad Smith, Superintendent Dilly received late-breaking funding information that prompted this last-minute cancellation. The indication is that additional funding might be available for Pickens School, leading the administration to reconsider the closure.
Though the immediate threat of closure has been averted, Dilly noted that should this potential funding fail to materialize, a future hearing regarding the school’s closure may still be necessary. The school district plans to validate the new funding details with the West Virginia Department of Education and other partners in the coming days. An evaluation process will also be conducted regarding various community proposals that pertain to the operational and fiscal impacts on the school for the upcoming 2026 school year.
The cancellation of this hearing represents the second such occurrence in 2023. In January, after the Board of Education voted against the closure of Harman School, the proposal to close Pickens K-12 was formally withdrawn. The Randolph County Schools district has faced significant challenges in recent months, including a State of Emergency declared by the West Virginia Department of Education in June. This designation has placed the district on probation for six months, with a possible state takeover looming if financial imbalances or insufficient progress are not addressed by December.
In recent Board of Education meetings, further decisions concerning school closures have been made. Among these, the closure of Harman K-12 School and North Elementary were approved. Additionally, a hearing to discuss the potential closure of Coalton Elementary and Midland Elementary is scheduled for October 28 at Elkins High School.
The situation surrounding Pickens K-12 School reflects ongoing concerns regarding funding and operational viability within the district. Parents, students, and community members remain engaged as they advocate for the school’s future. As the district continues to navigate these challenges, any revised proposals regarding school closures will adhere to the necessary statutory requirements, including public notice and hearings in compliance with West Virginia law and policy.
A regular Board of Education meeting is set to take place on Tuesday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office. This meeting will likely address some of these pressing issues and provide updates following the recent developments regarding funding and school operations.
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Additional Resources
- The Intermountain: A New Hope
- WBRC: Pickens County Schools Begin New School Year with No Glitches
- The Intermountain: Community Funds Playground Built at Pickens School
- WBOY: Randolph County BOE Cancels Vote to Close Pickens School
- Wikipedia: Education in West Virginia
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