“WV School Closings Update: Latest District Shutdowns, Delays & Forecast Alerts Today”

Charleston, W.Va. — WV school closings are dominating conversations statewide today as parents navigate two very different announcements: a sweeping vote to permanently shutter or consolidate more than a dozen campuses, and a fast-moving blizzard that forced multiple counties to cancel classes or dismiss early. Long-term closures and consolidations On Wednesday the West Virginia Board of Education approved a plan that affects six counties after months of emotional public hearings. Barbour, Logan, Randolph, Roane, Upshur and Wetzel counties will see 14 schools closed and several others merged into larger facilities, moves the board says are unavoidable after a 13 percent enrollment drop since 2012. • Barbour County: Belington, Kasson and Philippi middle schools; Junior Elementary; and a grade-reconfiguration that shifts fifth-graders into nearby elementary buildings. • Logan County: Verdunville Elementary students will attend Omar Elementary. • Randolph County: Harman K-12 and North Elementary students will transfer to Elkins-area schools. • Roane County: Geary and Walton elementary/middle schools will send K-5 pupils to Spencer Elementary and grades 6-8 to Spencer Middle. • Upshur County: Rock Cave Elementary will close outright. • Wetzel County: Magnolia and Valley high schools plus three middle-grade buildings will consolidate into a new Porter Falls campus. Board president Paul Hardesty said the funding formula “counts heads, not square miles,” leaving rural districts with sprawling bus routes but too few students to keep neighborhood schools open. Several lawmakers have signaled they will introduce a new aid formula when the Legislature gavels in January. Weather-related WV school closings today While families plan for next year’s building changes, winter weather is disrupting the current schedule. A predawn blizzard dumped heavy snow in the Potomac Highlands, prompting: • Pendleton County — all schools closed. • Preston, Tucker and Pocahontas counties — early dismissals staggered between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Drivers are urged to avoid secondary roads in higher elevations. How to check real-time delays The West Virginia Department of Education maintains a live “School Closings & Delays” dashboard at wveis.k12.wv.us/closings; parents can also sign up for text alerts through their county’s messaging system. What’s next 1. Legislative session: Funding-formula reform bills are expected to surface Jan. 14. 2. New construction: Wetzel County’s consolidated high school could break ground by summer if bond financing clears. 3. Community meetings: Each affected county must file revised attendance-zone maps by March 1. Bottom line Whether you’re searching for West Virginia school closings today because of snow, or tracking permanent WV school closures slated for fall 2026, the common thread is uncertainty. Families should monitor county websites daily, attend upcoming public forums and prepare transportation plans well before the next academic year begins.