CLAY COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The Clay County School Board is holding public hearings at each school affected by the proposed closure and consolidation of Clay Middle School. Tuesday evening, a public hearing was held at Big Otter Elementary School.

Superintendent Philip Dobbins said the age of the building and population decline were factors in their decision.

“The gym at Clay Middle, you know, the first block was laid in 1912, the day before the Titanic sank,” Dobbins said.

Dobbins said seventh and eighth graders would move to Clay County High School and the two remaining elementary schools would serve sixth graders. He says some parents have expressed concern about their plan.

“We had concerns about seventh and eighth graders being in the same classes from 9 to 12, or eating lunch or breakfast together.”

Clay High School Principal Allen Tanner said he plans to have separate entrances and will look at how the other 7 to 12 schools operate efficiently.

“It worries me less because I’ve been to schools, but I understand it from a parent’s point of view. I have two daughters who attend Big Otter here and I understand sixth grade. They’re young,” Tanner said.

The school board said it still had to vote on the closure. The state board will have to approve the decision, and nothing is official until the School Building Authority approves the necessary funding. Dobbins said if it doesn’t work, there’s a plan B.

“The vote to close and consolidate is good for two years, so we would be better allowed to reapply for SBA funding. Obviously, if we don’t succeed after year two, we’ll have to repeat this process or go to a completely different plan,” Dobbins said.

Dobbins said the closure and consolidation would give remaining schools additional funding and provide students with a higher-value education.

The final hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13 at Clay Elementary School. The board said the plan would not take effect until the 2027-2028 school year.

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