CRAIGSVILLE, W.Va. – The Nicholas County Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday in favor of school consolidation.
The 5-0 decision comes following five hearings on the matter, one of which lasted 4 1/2 hours.
Under the proposal, Nicholas County High School, Richwood High School and Nicholas County Career and Technical Center would consolidate into one high school facility, and Richwood Middle and Summersville Middle schools would merge into one middle school. Both moves could happen as soon as the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year.
Nicholas County Schools Superintendent Donna Burge-Tetrick has previously said consolidation is needed because of declining student enrollment and the effects from the June 2016 flood.
Richwood Middle, Richwood High and Summersville Middle schools were closed because of damages.
The schools have been proposed to be built in the Glade Creek area.
The $130 million project still needs approval from the West Virginia Board of Education.