News Summary
A public hearing about the potential closure of Pickens K-12 School was canceled just before it was set to begin, due to new funding information. Randolph County Superintendent Dr. Shawn Dilly stated that community efforts may allow the school to remain operational for another year. A thorough evaluation of community proposals regarding the school’s future is planned. This cancellation is the second time this year a hearing about the school’s closure has been called off, raising concerns about the district’s financial situation and ongoing state probation.
Pickens, West Virginia — A public hearing scheduled for Tuesday night regarding the proposed closure of Pickens K-12 School was abruptly canceled approximately 90 minutes before it was set to begin. Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shawn Dilly announced the cancellation via social media just before 4 p.m., citing “new information related to funding” and ongoing efforts from the community that could potentially allow the school to remain open for an additional year.
The decision came after Chief Business Official and Treasurer Brad Smith revealed that Dr. Dilly received the new funding information late Tuesday afternoon. Smith indicated that there may be additional financial resources available for Pickens School, prompting Dilly to reconsider the proposed closure.
Despite the cancellation of the hearing, there remains a possibility that the hearing could be rescheduled if the funding does not come through. Dilly stated that the cancellation does not preclude a final determination regarding the future of the school and emphasized the importance of reviewing and validating funding details with the West Virginia Department of Education and other relevant partners.
The school district plans to conduct a thorough evaluation of community proposals that address various aspects such as operational, instructional, transportation, staffing, and fiscal implications for the school year starting in 2026. This process highlights the commitment of the district to engage with the local community and consider their input in decision-making processes.
This instance marks the second time this year that a hearing to consider closing Pickens K-12 School has been canceled. In January, after the Randolph County Board of Education voted against closing Harman School, the proposal to close Pickens was formally withdrawn by Dr. Dilly. Since then, recent actions by the Board of Education have included the decision to close Harman K-12 School and North Elementary. Moreover, another public hearing and vote concerning the potential closure of Coalton Elementary and Midland Elementary is slated for October 28 at Elkins High School.
The Randolph County Schools district is currently under a State of Emergency, a designation made by the West Virginia Department of Education in June, and remains on probation for six months. This probationary status entails the district needing to balance its budget or demonstrate significant progress by December to avoid a potential state takeover.
In light of these developments, a regular Board of Education meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office. This meeting will provide further insight into the district’s financial situation, future steps regarding school closures, and the ongoing commitment to maintaining communication with the community regarding all educational decisions affecting the students and families of Randolph County.
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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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