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ELKINS – Superintendent of Schools Dr. Derek Lambert told the Randolph County Board of Education Tuesday night that declining student enrollment has forced him to formulate plans that may include further school closures, and even construction of new school facilities.
As of Oct. 1, Randolph County had lost 439 students from last year’s enrollment. There are currently 3,125 students attending schools in the county, and 429 students receiving the Hope Scholarship.
“Due to the enormous loss of students, the next part of our conversation is unavoidable and one none of us want to have it,” Lambert told the Board during Tuesday night’s regular meeting. “I am acutely aware that we here in the county office do not have all of the answers. So we are moving forward with a plan and goal in mind to get as much input from community members as possible.”
Lambert talked about creating a vision of what Randolph County Schools could look like in the future.
“In our minds, our ideal school configuration would be having George Ward Elementary as a PK-5 (preschool through fifth grade), Coalton Elementary as a PK-5, and we would build a Pre-K to second grade building where Midland (Elementary) currently is,” Lambert said.
“We would remodel and expand Third Ward (Elementary) and it would become a 3-5 (third grade through fifth grade) configuration. Elkins Middle would go back to a 6-8 (sixth grade through eigth grade) and we would have Elkins High School as a 9-12 (ninth grade through 12th grade) and Tygarts Valley Middle-High School as a 6-12 (sixth grade through 12th grade).”
Lambert talked about the financial situation the county was in and what it looked like two years down the road.
“As I said, we don’t have all of the answers and we have looked at all of the options that we have available to move forward and remain solvent and fiscally responsible,” Lambert said. “We talked at the last meeting about the amount of carry over that we have had to assign to fill our budget deficit for this year and we are looking at about another $2 million budget deficit going into the next fiscal year. So that would add up to about $4 million going into fiscal year 2028. If we do nothing we are looking at about a $4 million hole in the budget.”
Lambert said he would like the school system to provide students with dedicated math and ELA (English Language Arts) coaches, high quality curriculum and resources, data informative instruction, and more access to music, band, choir, and visual arts. He added that he would like the system to offer job-embedded support for teachers and better overall collaboration across schools.
“Ideally, that would lead to increased student participation and performance, and arts integration to enhance learning across all subjects,” Lambert said. “We would also have safe, modern learning environments, age-appropriate buildings and grade configurations, more opportunities for extracurricular activities, stronger connections between schools and community, and preparing every student for college career and life in Randolph County and beyond.”
Lambert told the Board of Education that the plan will not work unless a bond is passed in the near future.
“We, here in Randolph County, are in a very unique situation because we are talking about student loss and our classrooms are full,” Lambert said. “Some are past full where we can be past full, so we are overages to teachers. However, we are here because we have lost an enormous amount of students… Our buildings are fairly full, and in order to get us into the future, we have to make drastic changes to reduce the amount of schools that we have. The most appropriate way to do that is to have a PK-2 elementary school here in Elkins and a 3-5 here in Elkins.”
Lambert provided the Board members with a handout that consisted of three separate versions of a plan. The versions were described as being an “essential” plan, a “balanced” plan, and an “aggressive” plan.
“The essential plan meets our immediate need, but it’s not sustainable and we would have to potentially address more budget shortfalls depending on future enrollment losses,” Lambert said.
Lambert said in the “essential” plan, Pickens and Midland Elementary would merge into George Ward, Beverly Elementary and Tygarts Valley Middle-High School.
“This plan would be the least cost-saving for the county, and like I said, we potentially need to address more things in the coming year completely dependent on student enrollment,” Lambert said. “We would be able to begin investing in a new PK-2 elementary school and it does maintain five elementary, two middle (schools), and two highs (schools).”
Lambert said the “balanced” plan would reduce facilities for a more sustainable approach. It would have Pickens, Coalton and Midland merging into George Ward, Tygarts Valley Middle/High School, Third Ward, Jennings Randolph, and Beverly.
“This (plan) would allow for moderate cost savings for the county and potentially allow us to increase offerings for 6-12 students at Elkins Middle School and Tygarts Valley Middle/High. It would also allow us to invest in a PK-2 elementary school and also maintains a middle and high school option in both Elkins and Tygarts Valley.”
Lambert said the “aggressive” plan maximizes savings and educational opportunities. He stated that the plan would include Pickens, Tygarts Valley Middle-High School, Coalton, and Midland Elementary merging into George Ward, Elkins Middle, Elkins High School, Third Ward Elementary, Jennings Randolph and Beverly Elementary.
“This (plan) would be the greatest cost savings, increase academic offerings for 6-12 students, invest in a new PK-2 elementary school, maintains four elementary, one middle, and one high school,” Lambert said. “However, I will say, that will lead to class sizes in excess of 30 at Elkins Middle and Elkins High. Because there are no class size limits in middle and secondary classrooms. And that’s why having the additional elementary schools is where we are hamstrung, because we cannot add any students to first, second, and third grade.”
Lambert has been putting together a Community Advisory Board to get input from the community, He told the BOE that he currently has around 29 people confirmed for the board.
“They are going to get the same information that you are getting this evening, so that I can get input from them that can inform what I tell you all at the next meeting,” Lambert said. “The same with school staff, administration, etc.”
Lambert and the BOE agreed that some work sessions were needed to further discuss the plans.
North Elementary was closed along with Harman K-12 School in May at the end of this past school year. The Randolph County BOE voted to close both schools in January due to financial reasons.
The next regular Randolph County Board of Education meeting will be held on Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m.