Wood County BOE votes to close VanDevender Middle School, Fairplains Elementary School
Wood County Board of Education has voted to close and merge VanDevender Middle School with Jackson and Hamilton Middle Schools and has voted to close Fairplains Elementary and merge that school with Martin Elementary. The merger will take place for the 2025-2026 school year. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
VanDevender Middle School nurse Jamee Dalrymple spoke to a crowd at Hamilton Middle School Thursday during the third and final night of school closure hearings held by Wood County Schools. Dalrymple said staff at VanDevender are concerned with possible bullying to students and staff alike if the two schools are merged. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
PARKERSBURG – After five public hearings the Wood County Board of Education has unanimously voted to close and merge VanDevender Middle School with Jackson and Hamilton Middle Schools and Fairplains Elementary will close and merge with Martin Elementary.
“I think this is absolutely necessary as we move forward,” Board President Justin Raber said Thursday night at Jackson Middle School. “And it’s not an easy decision, but it’s one that we have to make.”
The mergers will take place for the 2025-2026 school year.