KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. — During the public comment period on April 17, a resident urged the Kanawha County Board of Education not to sell roughly a third of the Capital High School campus and said the land provides science, cross-country and outdoor-learning space.

Peyton Forbes said the parcel — described in his remarks as roughly 50 acres adjacent to Capital High School — once included a pond, forested area and trails used by students and science classes. He said the site had been placed into surplus and that a county auction took place; Forbes described concerns that a high-density development would replace green space and urged the board to remove the parcel from surplus and retain it for student use.

Superintendent Dr. Chris Williams responded that the property had been surplus for years, that it had previously been transferred and then returned when an earlier plan for a drug-rehab center did not move forward, and that the district had asked at the time whether the property was needed. Williams said the board had been told no. He said staff member Mr. Cunningham (also referenced as "Cummings" in the meeting) was working with the auctioneer and the successful bidder to get details and that the board will vote on any final sale.

Board members did not take action during the meeting to change the surplus status. Williams said district staff will provide more information about the successful bidder and intended use after coordinating with the auctioneer.

Why it matters

If surplus school property is sold and redeveloped, public access and school programming that used that land could be affected. The resident framed the parcel’s value in terms of outdoor science, cross-country course options and a park-like setting for students.

What's next

District staff said they are coordinating with the auctioneer and the successful bidder to gather details. Any final sale or change in ownership will be presented to the board for a vote at a later meeting.