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Jenny Davidson warns Upshur County Schools could face closures as state budget strains high-poverty districts
Summary
At an Upshur County Board of Education meeting, resident Jenny Davidson urged the board to heed a state budget analysis and a five-year school-closure map that she said show disproportionate closure risk for high-poverty counties and small schools in the district.
Jenny Davidson, a public commenter, told the Upshur County Board of Education that state budget changes and a recent five-year school-closure map show a growing risk to small, high-poverty districts like Upshur County.
"It's much more impactful on counties like ours," Davidson said, urging the board to be aware of the closure projections and their likely effect on rural schools. She named small local schools — Rock Cave and Little Outline — as examples she believes could be particularly affected and pointed board members to the state map, saying "it's got some pretty alarming, school closure rates that it shows." Davidson said she did not want to take long but wanted the board to be aware of the trend.
The comment came during the meeting's public-comment period after the board had amended the evening agenda to remove three professional agreements. Board members did not formally respond to Davidson's remarks during the meeting record.
What happens next: Davidson asked the board to consider the data she referenced and its implications for local strategic planning and budget prioritization. The board did not take action on the issues she raised during the session; any follow-up would depend on agenda scheduling and staff research.
Ending: The board moved on to a staff presentation of midyear benchmark results and professional-development plans after public comment.
