Mingo County Board of Education Special Board Meeting October 22 2026 at 430 PM

The Mingo County Board of Education held a special public hearing on October 22, 2026, regarding the proposed closure of Dingus Elementary School and its consolidation into Lenor PreK-8. The superintendent cited countywide and school enrollment declines, reduced enrollment-linked funding, and the opportunity to expand student programming at Lenor. Dingus enrollment was reported to have fallen from 192 students in 2016 to 41 currently; bringing its facility into compliance was estimated to cost $9,278,484. The proposed closure was projected to save $885,891 annually in personnel, maintenance, and utility costs. Lenor’s HVAC replacement has been funded through the School Building Authority and is scheduled for this summer. The superintendent said bus routes would be 45 minutes or less, while a public speaker disputed that estimate based on her experience and raised concerns about long rides for young children and factors that may have contributed to Dingus’s enrollment decline.

No vote or final action was taken at the hearing. The board president said the proposed action was expected to be considered at a board meeting scheduled for October 27, 2026. The hearing was part of the required public process before any official action.