Parents, teachers and lawmakers urge Raleigh County board to keep Mabscott and Cranberry Prosperity elementary schools open

Dozens of parents, teachers, students and elected leaders urged the Raleigh County Board of Education on July 28 to delay or abandon plans to close Mabscott and Cranberry Prosperity elementary schools, saying the move would harm students and communities.

Delegate Eric Brooks told the board that closing neighborhood schools would cost students longer bus rides and weaken community supports. "Every decision made by this board should begin with one simple question: what is best for our students?" he said. Multiple parents and teachers described programs and relationships at Cranberry and Mabscott that they said could not be replaced by consolidation.

Cranberry parents and staff emphasized the school’s "Leader in Me" culture and supports for students who have experienced trauma. Title I teacher Holly Dornell, who said she has taught at Cranberry for 17 years, described wraparound efforts including a community food team and smaller class sizes that she said improve outcomes. "Our kids are happy at Cranberry," she said.

Teachers and special‑education staff warned about service disruptions for vulnerable students. Britney Stanley, a moderate special‑education teacher who recently moved from Cranberry to a county position, told the board that moderate classrooms require daily, hands‑on supports and that families need stability: "These are some of the most vulnerable students in our school system. They deserve stability."

Board members and administrators responded that, to their knowledge, no formal closure proposal had yet been filed and that any closure process would include public, on‑site hearings. One board member said, "If that would come, if that would happen, we'll have a long process of public hearings. We'll have them on‑site at the school." The board did not record a final vote on closures during the meeting.

Speakers asked the board to press lawmakers for changes to the state funding formula that they say has contributed to shortages and consolidations. Education West Virginia co‑president Dale Lee and other speakers urged legislative action to adjust per‑pupil funding and provide more resources for special education. Several speakers cited the HOPE scholarship as a factor in student shifts to nonpublic providers.

The board took no immediate action on school closures. Administration and board members said they will continue discussions and may hold additional work sessions and public hearings if a formal proposal is brought forward. The meeting record indicates follow‑up on funding and outreach to state representatives is expected.