Nitro church asks Cabell County Schools to repurpose Meadows Elementary as community center and childcare site

Representatives of Kingdom Life Fellowship Church asked the Cabell County Board of Education on June 3 to consider transferring the former Meadows Elementary building to the church for community services, after‑school programming and a daycare.

Pastor B.J. Roberts opened the public comment presentation, saying the church would use the facility for an after‑school community center, daycare, job training and food and clothing distribution. Several church leaders and members — including Bridal Goebel, Lynn Goble, youth pastors Julian and Jade Irving, community volunteer Beth Belcher and outreach director Jim Workman — described existing outreach efforts and argued that a former school building’s classrooms, gym and infrastructure suit the proposed uses.

Speakers emphasized the church’s experience running recurring community events. Jim Workman, outreach director, described the church’s monthly “milk and bread” distribution and said volunteers hold road signs that read “free milk” and “free bread,” adding that the site’s presence encourages neighbors and provides tangible help; he said the ministry’s volunteers also use the distribution as an opportunity to offer encouragement and referrals. Pastor Roberts told the board the church expects the Meadows site would create paid positions in administration, custodial work and childcare and provide volunteer opportunities.

Speakers said the church conducts background checks for adults who work with children; Lynn Goble noted church volunteers undergo background checks as part of the ministry’s protocol. Several speakers framed the request as service‑focused and community‑oriented rather than a commercial proposal. No district staff presentation endorsing or opposing the request appeared in the meeting; the transcript records the public comments but does not show a board vote or staff recommendation on a property transfer.

Board members did not take immediate action during the public comment period. The district’s legal and property processes would apply to any potential transfer and would require separate agenda consideration and formal action if the board elects to pursue the request.