Closure Proposal Hearings - Partial Merger of Cranberry-Prosperity Elem. to Maxwell Hill Elem.

Raleigh County Schools held a public closure-proposal hearing on October 30, 2026, concerning the proposed partial merger of Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary with Maxwell Hill Elementary and related changes affecting Bradley and Stanford Elementary Schools. The superintendent’s presentation cited an 18.2% countywide enrollment decline—2,238 fewer students from 2015–16 to 2025–26—and said the proposal is projected to reduce staffing by 7.1 professional and 2.5 service positions, lower funding for positions above the state-aid formula, and improve building utilization. The presentation also described projected bus service and staffing or program changes at receiving schools, including additional Title I teachers and pre-K classrooms at some schools; no contract awards, purchasing decisions, or procurement amounts were identified.

Public speakers opposed the proposed changes or raised questions about student relationships and emotional stability, family transportation and access to school events, class sizes, future enrollment capacity, gifted services, accessibility, bell schedules, staffing, and the future use or sale of buildings. The superintendent said the utilization target referenced by the state is 85%, that out-of-district students were included in the projections, and that enrollment applications would continue to be reviewed through the existing process; some questions remained unanswered. The board approved the hearing agenda 5–0, but no vote on the closure or merger was reported. The hearing was scheduled to reconvene at Stanford Elementary School.