CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Board of Education will discuss the Nicholas County Schools’ consolidation proposal at its Tuesday meeting in Charleston.
Nicholas County Schools Superintendent Donna Burge-Tetrick proposed the plan to the county school board in January. The county would consolidate two high schools and a career center into one institution, and two middle schools into a second facility. Both of those buildings would be ready by the 2020-2021 school year.
Burge-Tetrick said in January the move was needed because of declining student enrollment and damage caused by the June 2016 flood.
Richwood Middle, Richwood High and Summersville Middle schools were closed during the 2016-2017 school year because of damages.
Nicholas County High School and Nicholas County Career and Technical Center are the other institutions that would be affected by the action.
The Nicholas County Board of Education approved of consolidation at its March 7 meeting.
Consolidation opponents, including members of the Richwood High School Alumni Association and some Richwood High school faculty, filed a lawsuit in February against the move, alleging the board held secret meetings regarding consolidation.
A Nicholas County Circuit judge ruled on June 2 the board did not violate open-meeting laws, citing a lack of “convincing evidence.”
The West Virginia Board of Education previously said it was waiting on that ruling before hearing the county’s recommendation.
The consolidation proposal is the sole item on Tuesday’s agenda. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.