Closure Proposal Hearings - Partial Merger of Mabscott Elem. to Hollywood Elem.

Raleigh County Schools held a special-session public hearing on November 7, 2026, the third of four hearings on a proposal to close Mabscott Elementary and redistribute students among receiving schools, including Hollywood and Crescent; the superintendent also described relocating the severe-disabilities program to Beckley. The presentation cited declining enrollment, school utilization and bus-route projections, and projected reductions of 11.8 professional and three service positions. It also described anticipated program changes at receiving schools and projected savings, but the savings figure is garbled in the transcript. The board approved the meeting agenda 5–0; no vote was taken on the closure proposal.

A speaker challenged the staffing reductions and questioned the district’s hiring, central-office staffing, reserves, and potential costs to prepare receiving schools and repurpose Mabscott. Administrators said the cited 177-position overage was a district budget projection, discussed enrollment and staffing formula constraints, and explained that fund balances include assigned amounts and funds designated for capital projects and permanent improvements. No contract awards, bids, vendor selections, or purchasing approvals were identified; the hearing addressed a proposed school closure and related budget and staffing issues rather than procurement.