The West Virginia Board of Education has approved the closing of Ranger Elementary School in the western part of Lincoln County.
The Herald-Dispatch reports that the state board granted the Lincoln County School Board's request to shutter Ranger at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
The Lincoln County district has had discussions with Lincoln County Opportunity Company to take over the Ranger facility and make it a Senior Citizens’ Center.
Students from Ranger will be relocated to Harts Pre K-8 and West Hamlin Elementary.
WCHS-TV reported last month that the Lincoln County board, in a 3-2 vote, decided to close Ranger, pending state approval. Supporters of the closing said enrollment at Ranger was down to 72 students and was expected to continue dropping in coming years.
Because of the closing, the length of bus rides for some displaced students will exceed state guidelines, so Lincoln County has asked for a policy waiver.
