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• As with the East Bank consolidation meeting, several of Wednesday night's 16 speakers asked the board to postpone the McKinley vote.
• St. Albans Mayor Scott James called on the board to give the two middle schools a new identity, saying, "Please consider renaming the new middle school, 'St. Albans Middle School.' I think it makes for a[n] easier transition, and it gives the people a sense of identity."
• Hayes Principal Kara Dunbar said, “I know there are many emotions here this evening, but I’m here tonight with many staff members from Hayes to welcome the McKinley community if you are to vote to consolidate.â€�

'Never an easy decision'

Board president Ric Cavender emphasized that the decision does not stem from a lack of care for the county's schoolchildren.

Over the last couple of meetings, numerous community members have felt the Kanawha County Board of Education is putting profit before their children's education; however, Cavender and board member Becky Jordon explained that it is their job as members of the board to be diligent with taxpayers' money.

"We just can't afford to keep a middle school open with less than 300 students," Jordon explained. "We would love to have these smaller local schools, but we can't afford it with the way we receive funding from the state legislature."

Briana Warner, Kanawha County Schools communications director, said McKinley currently enrolls 256 students. 

"I believe I can speak for all of the board and say that we absolutely care about our children," Cavender said. "But we also have to keep in mind that, as board members, we have to make those decisions as a steward of the tax dollars that are being paid to fund our system. If we don't have those dollars, we can't run our system."

He said the Kanawha County school system, the largest in West Virginia, owns and operates more than 70 buildings. This, combined with a declining population, has led to less funding and the need for consolidation.

This aligns with a statement from the board's Sept. 3 meeting where Superintendent Tom Williams reported that the county lost around 5,000 students over the past decade, which translates to about a $29 million loss in funding.

While Jordon said it makes her "sad" to vote for consolidations, she also expressed confidence that the students will receive comparable services at their new schools.

"Our children are going to get as good of services at a different school building than they get now. It will be different, but they will. We guarantee that. We work hard to make sure that happens," she commented.

Plus, Cavender noted that these consolidated schools have an opportunity to come together and build a united identity, with a new name, mascot and school colors.

"If they decide they want to charter a new path, we will absolutely support that as a board," he said.

These factors, Cavender said, are why consolidation was the best decision.

He said of the unanimous vote, "It definitely seems like the five of us realized it was the best decision. It's never an easy decision, but I genuinely believe that for the entire system...it is best we move forward this way. I hope at the end of the day that this will make a strong school system and a stronger area for St. Albans."

What's next

McKinley Middle School students will complete this school year at McKinley, but will begin the 2025-26 school year at Hayes Middle School.

Meanwhile, more consolidation hearings are coming up.

The Board of Education will decide to consolidate or close four other Kanawha schools. As with the East Bank and McKinley decisions, the vote will be taken immediately after public comments are heard at the end of each scheduled meeting. The public meetings will be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday: Belle Elementary School closure; 6 p.m., Riverside HS
• Thursday: Mary Ingles ES closure; 6 p.m. Riverside HS
• Oct. 21: Malden ES closure; 6 p.m., Riverside HS
• Oct. 22: Midland Trail ES closure; 6 p.m., Riverside HS