Pickens K-12 School Hearing Canceled Due to Funding News

News Summary

The public hearing regarding the potential closure of Pickens K-12 School was canceled shortly before it was set to take place. Randolph County Superintendent Dr. Shawn Dilly cited new funding information that could allow the school to remain open for another year. The decision reflects ongoing uncertainty about the school’s future, with possible future hearings dependent on funding inquiries. The district continues to face challenges, including a State of Emergency designation, raising further questions about its financial stability and school operations.

Pickens, West Virginia – The scheduled public hearing on the potential closure of Pickens K-12 School was abruptly canceled approximately 90 minutes before it was set to begin on Tuesday night. This decision was communicated by Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shawn Dilly via social media just before 4 p.m. on the same day. The cancellation is attributed to new information regarding funding that may permit the school to remain operational for an additional year.

The new funding details came to light shortly before the hearing, with Chief Business Official and Treasurer Brad Smith indicating that Superintendent Dilly received this information late Tuesday afternoon. This possibly available funding prompted Dilly to halt the closure process for the time being, as it could illuminate a path forward for the school.

Dr. Dilly noted that, depending on the outcome of the funding inquiries, a hearing centered on the closure might still be necessary in the future. The district is committed to reviewing and confirming these funding details in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Education and other important stakeholders.

Future evaluations will focus on community proposals that could impact various operational aspects of the school, including instructional methods, transportation services, staffing, and fiscal strategies for the 2026 school year. However, Dilly’s cancellation announcement made it clear that this decision does not imply a definite resolution regarding the school’s future.

Any revised proposal concerning Pickens K-12 School must comply with statutory requirements, which stipulate that public notice and hearings must conform to established West Virginia law and policy. This marks the second cancellation this year for a hearing related to the closure of Pickens K-12 School, underscoring the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the institution’s fate.

In January, after a Board of Education vote against closing the Harman School, Dilly withdrew the earlier proposal to close Pickens K-12. Since then, recent board decisions have included the closure of both Harman K-12 School and North Elementary. A public hearing and vote are scheduled for later this month on October 28 at Elkins High School to consider the closure of Coalton Elementary and Midland Elementary.

The Randolph County Schools district has faced significant challenges recently, having been placed under a State of Emergency by the West Virginia Department of Education in June. This designation leaves the district on probation for six months, with looming threats of a state takeover if budget balance or progress is not achieved by December.

A regular meeting for the Board of Education is set for Tuesday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office. Stakeholders and community members remain invested in the discussions as they await more information on the potential future of Pickens K-12 School.

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Additional Resources

• The Intermountain: A New Hope
• WBRC: Pickens County Schools Begin New School Year with No Glitches
• The Intermountain: Community Funds Playground Built at Pickens School
• WBOY: Randolph County BOE Cancels Vote to Close Pickens School
• Wikipedia: Education in West Virginia