Public Hearing on Pickens School Closure Canceled

Pickens, West Virginia – Public Hearing on School Closure Canceled

The public hearing on the proposed closure of Pickens K-12 School was abruptly canceled just 90 minutes before it was set to take place on Tuesday night, due to unexpected new funding information. Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shawn Dilly made the announcement via social media shortly before 4 p.m.

The cancellation follows the receipt of new details regarding potential funding which could allow the school to stay open for at least another year. Chief Business Official and Treasurer, Brad Smith, noted that Superintendent Dilly obtained this information late in the afternoon on the same day as the hearing.

Smith indicated that there is a possibility for additional financial support for Pickens School, prompting Dilly to postpone the closure proceeding. In light of the new funding opportunities, Dilly acknowledged that if the necessary funding does not come through, the hearing on the closure may still be necessary in the future.

Next Steps and Community Evaluations

The Randolph County Schools district plans to verify and explore the new funding information further with the West Virginia Department of Education and other key partners. An assessment will also be conducted on community proposals regarding various aspects such as operational needs, instructional quality, transportation, staffing, and fiscal impacts for the 2026 school year.

Context Surrounding School Closure Discussions

The cancellation of the pickens hearing marks the second instance this year where discussions regarding the closure have been halted. Earlier in January, a proposal to close Pickens K-12 School was formally withdrawn following a Board of Education vote against the closure of Harman School.

Recent actions by the Board of Education included the decision to close Harman K-12 School and North Elementary. Another public hearing, along with a vote regarding the closure of Coalton Elementary and Midland Elementary, is scheduled for October 28 at Elkins High School.

District Status and Future Implications

The Randolph County Schools district is currently under a State of Emergency as declared by the West Virginia Department of Education in June. The district is on probation for a six-month period, facing the possibility of a state takeover if it does not achieve a balanced budget or demonstrate sufficient progress by December.

A regular Board of Education meeting is set for October 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office, where further discussions concerning the district’s future and the potential outcome for Pickens K-12 School may take place. Dilly’s recent statement emphasized that the cancellation of the hearing does not determine the final fate of the school, indicating ongoing uncertainty as the district moves forward with evaluations and funding considerations.