Published: October 30, 2008 10:21 pm      

Fayette BOE votes to consolidate four high schools

Fayetteville, Midland Trail, Mount Hope and Oak Hill facilities may be closed in favor of single Plateau site

FAYETTEVILLE — With closely divided heads and hearts, Fayette County Board of Education members voted 3-2 Thursday night to accept Superintendent Chris Perkins’ recommendation to close four high schools in favor of a bond-financed new high school to be built in the Plateau District.

With board president Dave Arritt and Steve Bush voting in opposition, the other board members agreed — albeit with obvious reluctance in some cases — to support Perkins’ proposal to close Fayetteville High School, Midland Trail High School, Mount Hope High School and Oak Hill High School.

“We have got to move forward,” a visibly moved James “Jock” Workman said. “I sort of mourn because the greater part of my life has been spent at Midland Trail High School. There’s no other way to move forward. I wish to God there was.”

Board vice president Leon Newman and Leon Ivey joined Workman in supporting Perkins.

The concept came to the forefront of the special meeting due to the fact that a deadline is looming Monday with the state School Building Authority for the submission of any needs projects. Workman referred to the time between Thursday and Monday as a “small window of opportunity.”

“Once we vote here, the work is out there,” Newman declared as he gestured toward the front door.

He was speaking of a $48.8 million school construction bond issue that would have to be approved by Fayette voters for the consolidation to go forward.

Newman directed his words at those in attendance who expressed support for the bond and a new high school, and enlisted their support in persuading their fellow citizens of the need for the bond.

“Taxes are going to increase (if the bond is passed), but what are we going to do if we do nothing?” Newman queried, adding the county’s use of 21 school facilities was “totally unacceptable.”

Perkins explained that, should the bond issue pass, the county’s tally of facilities would be reduced to 16, with Collins Middle School and Mount Hope Elementary School also closing their doors.

The county and state would also undertake millions of dollars in renovations at other Fayette County schools, Perkins emphasized.

That, Bush insisted, is where the money belongs. He said he was “concerned about equitable and fair” treatment of students across the county, particularly regarding their travel times to and from school each day. He noted some of the county’s current facilities are “poor environments for learning.”

“I’d be fooling myself and everyone else,” Bush said, if he thought moving students into one building would result in a better education. “I think we should be as resourceful as we possibly can.”

Arritt also took up Bush’s refrain of support for what they both called community schools. Prior to the vote, Arritt reiterated his long-standing opposition to school consolidation and expressed his desire to be consistent with his own campaign promises of two years ago.

“This is a chance to move forward by leaps and bounds, not baby steps,” Ivey argued, adding the issue was “a no-brainer” for him. “It’s a huge step forward for our county with a state-of-the-art school.”

Perkins called his proposal “a draft that would take us into the 21st century and beyond.”

Perkins explained later that the SBA, after receiving Fayette County’s request, would review all such applications from throughout West Virginia. The SBA will likely make its decision next March, and the bond would be voted on by county residents next summer or fall.

“What we are doing and have been doing isn’t working,” Geoff Heater said from the audience, speaking in support of the bond and a new high school. “Give us (voters) the opportunity to either pass or deny a bond. Just give us the chance to vote on a bond.”

Michelle Bennett echoed Heater’s remarks, adding she was “really glad to see that this board is moving forward.”

In other business, the board voted unanimously to tap Paula Fridley as the six-month interim treasurer for the school system. Fridley replaces Annette Hughart, who was suspended last month and terminated by the board two weeks ago.

— E-mail: mhill@register-herald.com