Declining student enrollment has led the Wayne County Board of Education to close two elementary schools.
In a 4–1 vote Wednesday night, board members approved the closure of Genoa and Dunlow Elementary. Students will be reassigned to Crum Pre-K through 8, East Lynn Elementary, and Wayne Elementary.
Superintendent Todd Alexander says enrollment in the county has dropped by about 1,600 students over the past decade, with Genoa and Dunlow serving only about 100 students combined.
District leaders also cite rising operational costs and shrinking emergency reserves.
State education leaders are now urging lawmakers to revisit West Virginia’s enrollment-based school funding formula.