The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

September 15, 2008

Mount Hope High closure to be studied

By Matthew Hill

FAYETTEVILLE — With the sole exception of board president Dave Arritt’s dissent, the Fayette County Board of Education voted 4-1 Monday to look into the possible consolidation or closure of Mount Hope High School.

As it was worded on the meeting agenda, the board voted to “grant permission to look at the alternatives to be presented to the board relevant to potential school closures, consolidations, mergers and reconfigurations for Mount Hope High School and to review and update the Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) accordingly.”

Arritt said he has always opposed the closure or consolidation of any of Fayette County’s high schools. County schools superintendent Chris Perkins explained before the vote that no specific action was being taken Monday evening. Leon Ivey moved to vote on the item, and James “Jock” Workman seconded the motion.

For Mount Hope High School to be closed, consolidated or merged, a majority of the board would have to vote in favor of amending the county’s CEFP to reflect such an action.

Once that happened, the state Board of Education in Charleston would need to approve the county’s CEFP amendment. At least one advertised public hearing in Fayette County would also be required.

Fayette County presently has six public high schools. The last time the county closed a high school was the years-long, bitterly contested effort to shut down Gauley Bridge High School. That facility ceased to operate with the end of the 2004-05 school year.

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In other business, board members:

- Voted unanimously on high school graduation dates and times for next spring. They are as follows:

- Fayetteville High School — May 29 at 7:30 p.m.

- Meadow Bridge High School — May 30 at noon

- Midland Trail High School — May 29 at 7 p.m.

- Mount Hope High School — May 30 at 6 p.m.

- Oak Hill High School — May 29 at 6 p.m.

- Valley High School — May 30 at 10 a.m.

They also approved a graduation date and time of May 21 at noon for Fayette Institute of Technology.

— E-mail:

mhill@register-herald.com

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