BUCKHANNON, W.Va. –Rock Cave Elementary in Upshur County is one step away from closing at the end of the 2025–2026 school year, pending approval from the West Virginia Board of Education
The approval to close the school and forward the proposal to the state board was made during Thursday’s Upshur County Board of Education meeting. The decision was issued by State Superintendent Michele Blatt because the county school system has been under state control since June 2023. The state assumed control after a Special Circumstance Review found noncompliance in how the system spent federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funds.
Jeff Kelly, state assistant superintendent, read a statement on behalf of Blatt approving the closure.
“Michele Blatt, state Superintendent of Schools, in her acting compacity as the board of education in Upshur County hear by approves the closure of Rock Cave Elementary School,” Kelly read during the meeting.
Students would merge with French Creek Elementary at the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Before the approval was read, Upshur County Schools Superintendent Christy Miller said there were several reasons for recommending the school’s closure. The first was declining enrollment, which is a statewide issue, and the second was the school’s poor facility conditions. She added that if Rock Cave students begin attending French Creek, they will have access to broader instructional support.
Miller said that decisions to recommend the closure of a school are not made lightly; they are a serious responsibility.
“It is made out of responsibility, responsibility to our students, to the safety and integrity of our facilities, to the effective use of taxpayers resources, and to the obligation placed on Upshur County Schools by the state board of education to correct longstanding deficiencies and improve educational outcomes,” she said.
The county board heard from residents at a meeting on November 13, as well as during public delegations at their regular meetings, and received written statements and emails. Miller said all of the input was forwarded to Blatt for review and consideration.
Miller acknowledged the Rock Cave community and how instrumental it has been throughout this process and said they will continue prioritizing students if the school closes.
“Your support for children has been evident in every step of this process,” she said. “Although a school building may close, the commitment to serving the students and families of this community remains unchanged.”
The State Board of Education will vote on the proposal at its December 10 meeting.