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

Raleigh County Schools held the second of four public hearings on October 26, 2026, regarding a proposal to close Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary after the 2026–27 school year and distribute its students among Bradley, Maxwell Hill, and Stanford elementary schools. The superintendent cited declining county enrollment, facility utilization, and financial sustainability as reasons for the proposal. The impact statement projected improved utilization at the receiving schools and reductions of 7.1 professional and 2.5 service positions. It also projected annual savings, but the amount was garbled and inconsistent in the transcript; approximately $1.1 million was referenced during discussion. The proposal would repurpose Cranberry-Prosperity’s building for the school system’s maintenance department. No contract awards, purchasing decisions, or spending motions were identified, and no vote was taken at this hearing; the board was expected to act on November 10.

Public commenters raised concerns about special-education services and IEP support, classroom arrangements, transportation, the school-building use proposal, and how savings would be applied. The superintendent said students’ IEPs would be implemented at any receiving school and estimated bus trips for affected students at 34 minutes to Bradley, 27 minutes to Maxwell Hill, and 28 minutes to Stanford. Board members described the proposal as part of necessary budget reductions to maintain solvency.