News Summary
The Roane County Board of Education has approved a plan to consolidate Geary and Walton Elementary Middle Schools in response to financial challenges. With a $3 million budget shortfall, the decision aims to improve financial stability. Superintendent Michelle Stellato emphasized projected annual savings of $1.45 million with the consolidation, which will not result in immediate school closures. Public hearings are set to gather community feedback before a final vote on the plan is conducted. Ongoing financial pressures have prompted a special committee to explore alternative options.
Roane County
School Board Approves Consolidation Plan Amid Financial Challenges
The Roane County Board of Education held a meeting on September 11, 2025, to discuss and advance a plan to consolidate Geary and Walton Elementary Middle Schools. This move comes in response to a significant budget shortfall affecting the county’s school system. The board’s decision aims to address a nearly $3 million deficit impacting local schools and ensure financial stability moving forward.
Details of the Consolidation Plan
Superintendent Michelle Stellato presented an impact statement supported by data indicating that the consolidation would generate substantial savings. After review, the board unanimously approved the plan to initiate the legal process required under West Virginia Code 18-5-13a. The plan does not immediately close the schools but sets in motion procedures that will lead to their closure at the end of the current school year.
Under the proposed plan, students currently enrolled in grades K-5 at Geary and Walton schools would transfer to Spencer Elementary School, while students in grades 6-8 would attend Spencer Middle School. All pre-kindergarten students will be consolidated into a designated area previously used by the Office of Student Support Services at Roane County High School.
Financial Impact and Future Savings
The consolidation is projected to save the school district approximately $1.45 million annually. These savings are critical given the district’s ongoing financial difficulties, exacerbated by declining enrollment and increasing expenses.
Community Input and Public Hearings
Before finalizing the decision, the district has scheduled five public hearings to gather community feedback. These hearings are set for October 30, November 1, November 5, and November 6, 2025. Residents interested in speaking at these meetings must register at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Notices about the hearings will be posted in schools and other public facilities for at least 30 days beforehand.
Written comments can also be submitted to the superintendent’s office by noon on October 24, 2025. The Board of Education plans to vote on the final consolidation proposal at a meeting scheduled for November 6, 2025, though this date is subject to change due to potential weather postponements, which could push the decision to November 7.
Background and Context
The move toward school consolidation is driven by ongoing challenges within the district. In July 2025, the West Virginia Board of Education declared a state of emergency for Roane County Schools, citing persistent fiscal issues. Over the past decade, enrollment has declined by approximately 31%, equating to a loss of about 70 students per year. Current operations at Geary and Walton schools are severely under capacity, with enrollment falling below 35% of their maximum.
District officials are exploring additional measures to address the budget crisis, including the possibility of a school levy and further budget cuts. The school board also authorized the superintendent to develop alternative strategies and investigate different funding sources.
Amid these developments, discussions have raised concerns about the impact of school closures on local communities and student welfare. The district’s financial pressures are compounded by broader issues affecting education funding statewide, with recent increases in allocated budgets for public schools—ranging from $1.6 billion to $2.5 billion—prompting questions about resource distribution and transparency.
In response, a special committee has been formed to examine the district’s finances closely and propose alternative options to the consolidation plan, aiming to find sustainable solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with community needs.
Next Steps
The district will continue engaging with residents and stakeholders through scheduled public hearings and written communications. A final decision on the consolidation will be made following the November 6 or possibly the November 7 vote, depending on weather conditions. The outcome will determine the future structure of Roane County’s schools and how the district manages its ongoing financial challenges.
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Additional Resources
- WSAZ: Consolidation Plan Approved by County School Board
- WV News: Roane County Board of Education Votes to Develop Consolidation Plan
- WV Metro News: Roane County BOE Will Look at Other Options Before Closing or Consolidating Two Elementary Schools
- WCHS TV: State Senator Seeks Legislative Solution to Halt School Closures in West Virginia
- News and Sentinel: Financial Issues Place Roane County Schools in State of Emergency
- Wikipedia: Roane County, West Virginia
- Google Search: Roane County Schools budget issues
- Google Scholar: Roane County Schools consolidation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: West Virginia
- Google News: Roane County Schools
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