NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS PROPOSED CLOSURE OF ROCK CAVE ELEMENTARY MERGED INTO FRENCH CREEK ELEMENTARY UPSHUR COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION The Upshur County Board of Education will hold two (2) public hearings on the Superintendent’s recommendation to close Rock Cave Elementary at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, and to merge it into the existing French Creek Elementary School. At that time, as follows: LOCATION: French Creek Elementary, 7619 Rt. 20 South, French Creek, WV DATE AND TIME: November 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Sign in to speak between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. LOCATION: Rock Cave Elementary, 12292 Rt. 20 South, Rock Cave, WV DATE AND TIME: November 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Sign in to speak between 6:30 and 7:00 If, at the time a hearing is called to order, the Board determines that the location is of insufficient size to accommodate all who desire to attend, the hearing will be recessed and moved to a new location of sufficient size to accommodate all those who desire to attend. If that happens, the new meeting location will be posted at the original meeting location. If a public hearing is not completed by 11:00 p.m., it will be recessed, to be continued on a date and at a time designated and announced by the Board just prior to the hearing recess, to be continued day-to-day until concluded. The public hearings, as well as any reconvened session of the public hearings, shall end at the conclusion of each hearings business or at 11:00 p.m., whichever occurs earlier. ALTERNATE DATES AND TIMES If due to inclement weather or other cause, any hearing cannot be held on the scheduled date, the hearing or meeting will be held at the same location and time as originally scheduled, but on these dates and times: For the hearing at French Creek Elementary School, on November 18, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. For the hearing at Rock Cave Elementary School, on November 18, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m. If for any reason a hearing cannot be conducted on the alternate date or time, the Board will determine a date or time. HEARING PROCEDURES For a period of 30 minutes prior to the commencement of a public hearing, persons may and are encouraged to register at the hearing location for the purpose of making statements, offering testimony, and questioning school officials. Persons wishing to speak as members of the public will be recognized in the order in which they have signed the register. Each person shall be limited to five minutes. Written statements may be submitted in lieu of oral statements or testimony and must be submitted prior to the conclusion of the hearing. Any written statement will be given full consideration before the Board takes any final action. REASONS AND SUPPORTING DATA Until the date of the first hearing, written reasons for the Superintendent’s recommendations in the form of an Impact Statement and Supporting Data are available for public inspection in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools at 102 Smithfield Street, Buckhannon, West Virginia, on weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The reasons and supporting data in connection with the proposed actions are also available at Rock Cave Elementary and French Creek Elementary. FINAL ACTION The Board of Education will take formal action on the Superintendent’s proposal to close Rock Cave Elementary and merge into French Creek Elementary School at its meeting at Buckhannon Upshur High School, 270 BU Drive, Buckhannon, West Virginia, on November 20, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. If due to inclement weather or other cause, the Board meeting cannot be held on the scheduled date, the meeting will be held at the same location and time as originally scheduled, but on November 25, 2025.
UPSHUR CO. BOARD OF EDUCATION
102 SMITHFIELD ST
BUCKHANNON
WV
26201
304-472-1544
ID: 1488422