WESTON, W.Va. — Robert L. Bland Middle School students will start the school year at WVU Jackson’s Mill instead of starting virtually and transitioning to the school after flood damage is repaired.
The Lewis County Board of Education unanimously made the decision during an emergency meeting Friday morning for the middle school students to have classes at Jackson’s Mill from Sept. 8 through the end of May 2027.
Bland Middle School is in downtown Weston and sustained the most damage in the July 21 flood, according to Lewis County School Superintendent Carolyn Long when she spoke in MetroNews in the days after the flood.
“It was under quite a bit of water,” Long said. “It’s right there by the river. Between the water, and the swiftness of the water, and the fact that the water has been every place that we wouldn’t want it to be. It is water that they classify as contaminated. So, it’s become now mud that’s contaminated.”
Under this arrangement, the students and staff will learn in-person together rather than a virtual start and transition to temporary facilities later this year, Lewis County school officials said.
The district Jackson’s Mill plan is much more cost-effective for the district. Temporary facilities and deliver with set up were budgeted to cost about $1.4 million.
In the Jackson’s Mill configuration the teachers, not the students will move from location to location on the historic campus when classes begin next month.
The Board of Education plans to meet with parents about the change at Lewis County High School on Aug 25-26.
Local law enforcement agencies have developed plans to increase patrols in the area as well.