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

Raleigh County Schools held the fourth and final public hearing on October 30, 2026, regarding the proposed closure and merger of Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary. The superintendent’s impact statement cited an 18.2% countywide enrollment decline since 2015–16 and projected that the merger would increase building utilization at receiving schools, add student support and instructional resources, and eliminate 7.1 professional and 2.5 service positions. The district estimated approximately $1.1 million in savings from positions above the state aid funding formula; no contract award, procurement decision, or vote was recorded at this hearing.

Public commenters questioned the funding rationale, the effect on students and class sizes, prior investments in Cranberry-Prosperity, bus assignments, and the ongoing costs and future use of the school building. The superintendent said the three existing Cranberry buses and drivers would be reassigned rather than adding operators, described projected routes and receiving-school operating costs, and said the maintenance department might move to the site, though the disposition of existing maintenance-related buildings was uncertain. The hearing concluded without a recorded decision on the closure proposal.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 30, 2026

### Sources
- [Closure Proposal Hearings - Partial Merger of Cranberry-Prosperity Elem. to Stanford Elem.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9EiECqA6WA) - Raleigh County Schools