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Roane County Board Moves to Consolidate Elementary Schools

News Summary

The Roane County Board of Education has announced plans to consolidate Geary and Walton Elementary Middle Schools amid a budget crisis. The decision, aimed at addressing a nearly $3 million deficit, will not lead to immediate closures but sets the stage for future restructuring. Students will be transferred to Spencer Elementary and Middle Schools, with public hearings scheduled to gather community feedback. The board intends to finalize the decision soon, while exploring additional budget measures to ensure financial sustainability for the local education system.

Spencer, West Virginia – The Roane County Board of Education has officially moved forward with a plan to consolidate Geary and Walton Elementary Middle Schools due to a substantial budget crisis. During a meeting on September 11, 2025, the board unanimously approved Superintendent Michelle Stellato’s proposal, which aims to address a nearly $3 million budget deficit facing Roane County Schools.

The proposed consolidation will not result in immediate school closures; however, it sets in motion the necessary legal processes as outlined in West Virginia Code 18-5-13a. As it stands, the plan suggests that Geary and Walton schools will close at the conclusion of the current school year, with students in grades K-5 transferring to Spencer Elementary School and grades 6-8 continuing their education at Spencer Middle School. Additionally, all pre-K students are expected to be relocated to an area currently used by the Office of Student Support Services at Roane County High School.

This consolidation is anticipated to yield annual savings of approximately $1.45 million for Roane County Schools, a significant step towards addressing the ongoing fiscal challenges. In response to community concerns, five public hearings have been scheduled to solicit input regarding the consolidation proposal before any final decisions are made. The public will have opportunities to express their thoughts during meetings slated for October 30, November 1, November 5, and November 6, 2025. Residents interested in speaking must register 30 minutes prior to the start of each hearing, and written comments can also be submitted to the superintendent’s office until noon on October 24, 2025.

The board plans to cast its final vote on the consolidation proposal on November 6, 2025, although weather contingencies could push the vote to November 7. This consolidation initiative follows a declaration of a state of emergency for Roane County Schools by the West Virginia Board of Education in July 2025, attributed to persistent financial issues that have plagued the district.

Over the past decade, Roane County has witnessed a significant 31% decline in enrollment, averaging a loss of approximately 70 students each year, further exacerbating the financial strain on local schools. Currently, Geary and Walton are operating at less than 35% capacity, underscoring the pressing need for this consolidation.

In addition to the consolidation plan, the board is exploring other potential measures aimed at addressing the budget deficit, including alternative revenue sources such as a school levy, along with further budget cuts. However, the prospect of school closures has raised concerns among residents and local officials about the potential impact on community cohesion and student well-being.

After acknowledging the severity of the budget deficit situation, the local board of education empowered the superintendent to develop a comprehensive plan for consolidation. This comes in the wake of discussions surrounding a proposed budget increase ranging from $1.6 billion to $2.5 billion for West Virginia public schools, prompting questions regarding the allocation of funds amidst school closure proposals.

As the situation evolves, the board has also decided to form a special committee tasked with delving deeper into school finances and exploring alternative options to address the ongoing fiscal challenges while considering community needs.

The Roane County Schools’ consolidation plan represents a critical juncture for the local education system, as stakeholders prepare for a public dialogue on the future of education and financial sustainability within the district.

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Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER

LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana