Mingo County Board of Education Special Meeting Oct 22 2026 at 600 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 Lenore PreK-8. The superintendent cited declining enrollment—Dingus was described as having 41 students, down from 192—and financial efficiency, facility needs, and expanded academic and extracurricular opportunities at Lenore as reasons for the proposal. The presentation referenced an estimated $9,278,484 in Dingus facility needs and said Lenore’s HVAC replacement had been funded through the School Building Authority. The superintendent said the proposed transportation changes would keep bus routes to 45 minutes or less; several public commenters disputed the projected travel burden and raised concerns about students’ travel time, community impacts, special education, and state school funding.