Roane County Schools

RCS Closure and Consolidation Application 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS PROPOSED CLOSURE OF GEARY AND WALTON ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF THEIR GRADES K-5 INTO SPENCER ELEMENTARY, AND THEIR GRADES 6-8 INTO SPENCER MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF PRE-K STUDENTS FROM ALL SCHOOLS INTO THE TO THE SPACE NOW OCCUPIED BY THE OFFICE OF STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES AT ROANE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ROANE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

The Roane County Board of Education will hold five public hearings on the Superintendent’s recommendation to close Geary and Walton Elementary Middle Schools at the end of the 202526 school year, and consolidate their K-5 students into Spencer Elementary and their 6-8 grade students into Spencer Middle School, and consolidate all Pre-K students from all schools into the space now occupied by the Office of Student Support Services located at Roane County High School. Public hearings will be held at the following locations, dates, and times listed below:

• LOCATION: WALTON ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOL, 90 School Drive, Walton, WV 25286
DATE AND TIME: Monday, October 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

• LOCATION: GEARY ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOL, 9538 Clay Rd, Lefthand, WV 25251
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

• LOCATION: SPENCER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 85 Clay Road, Spencer, WV, 25276
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

• LOCATION: SPENCER MIDDLE SCHOOL, 2 Raider Way, Spencer, WV 25276
DATE AND TIME: Monday, November 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

• LOCATION: ROANE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, 1 Raider Way, Spencer, WV 25276
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

If, at the time a hearing is called to order, the Board determines that the location is of insufficient size to accommodate all who desire to attend, the hearing will be recessed and moved to a new location of sufficient size to accommodate all those who desire to attend. If that happens, the new meeting location will be posted at the original meeting location. If a public hearing is not completed by 11:00 p.m., it will be recessed, to be continued on a date and a time designated and announced by the Board just prior to the hearing recess, to be continued day-to-day until concluded. The public hearings, as well as any reconvened session of the public hearings, shall end at the conclusion of each hearing’s business or at 11:00 p.m., whichever occurs earlier.

ALTERNATE DATES AND TIMES
If, due to inclement weather or other cause, any hearing cannot be held on the scheduled date, the hearing will be held at the same location as originally scheduled, but on the following dates and times:

• Walton Elementary Middle School, Thursday, October 30, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

• Geary Elementary Middle School, Saturday, November 1, 2025 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

• Spencer Elementary School, Saturday, November 1, 2025 beginning at 5:00 p.m.

• Spencer Middle School, Wednesday, November 5, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

• Roane County High School, Thursday, November 6, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

If for any reason a hearing cannot be conducted on the alternate dates or times listed, the Board will determine a date and time.

HEARING PROCEDURES
For a period of 30 minutes prior to the commencement of a public hearing, persons shall register at the hearing location for the purpose of making statements, offering testimony, and questioning school officials concerning the proposals. Each hearing will begin with an oral summary by a representative of Roane County Schools on the reasons and supporting data in connection with the proposed action by the Board. Speakers will then be recognized in the order in which they registered. Each speaker shall be limited to 5 minutes unless, in accordance with Board Policy 020, the President reduces that time limit to provide all persons wishing to speak the opportunity to do so.

SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN MATERIAL
The Board will consider any written material submitted by members of the public concerning the proposals if the material, with 6 copies, is submitted to and received by the Office of the Superintendent of Schools at 813 Capitol Street, Spencer, WV 25276, before 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025. REASONS AND SUPPORTING DATA Until the date of the first hearing, written reasons for the Superintendent’s recommendation in the form of an Impact Statement and Supporting Data are available for public inspection in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools at 813 Capitol Street, Spencer, WV 25276, on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

FINAL ACTION
The Board of Education will take formal action on the Superintendent’s proposal to close Geary and Walton Elementary Middle Schools and consolidate their K-5 students into existing Spencer Elementary School, their 6-8 students into existing Spencer Middle School, and all Pre-K students from all schools into the area currently operated by the Office of Student Services located at Roane County High School at its regular meeting at Roane County High School, 1 Raider Way, Spencer WV 25276, on Thursday, November 6, 2025 beginning at 6:00 p.m. If, due to inclement weather or other cause, the Board meeting cannot be held on the scheduled date, the meeting will be held at the same location and time as originally scheduled, but on Friday, November 7, 2025.

Michelle D. Stellato
Superintendent
Roane County Schools

WV News- Roane County Reporter
First Run: Friday, October 3, 2025
Second Run: Friday, October 10, 2025
Third Run: Friday, October 17, 2025
Fourth Run: Friday, October 24, 2025