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The state school board voted unanimously Thursday to shut down four high schools in Lincoln County. When parents began
filing from the room, Board President Howard Persinger Jr. offered some departing words: "I'm sorry we weren't able to do
what you wanted us to do, but this was democracy in action."
West Hamlin parent Karen Sargent responded by saying "This was bullshit in action."
Thomas Ramey, Jr., a Lincoln County resident and member of Challenge WV said, "We feel violated of our Democratic
rights. We had no voice in this whole process. While we spoke, the State Board. acted as if our comments meant nothing to
them."
Ramey told the Hur Herald that board member Sandra Chapman commented she can't help where people choose to live.
"That was a major insult to not only
Lincoln Countians, but all West Virginians," he said. Parents responded to Chapman by saying most low-income families
couldn't afford to move closer to schools.
The Department of Education never wavered in their plan to close the four high schools and build a $30 million school near
Hamlin, after the state seized control of Lincoln schools in 2000. They cited shoddy buildings, low test scores and illegal
personnel practices.
It will be the most expensive school ever built in the state.
The Lincoln County Board of Education voted to renovate the schools or return construction money to the state. The state
dismissed the decision, and parents have continued to sue to keep the community schools open.
Lincoln County parents have expressed concerns about long bus rides. State officials acknowledge that more than 300 high
school students will face one-way bus rides of more than an hour to get to the new school.
About 30 of the 300 will spend an hour and 45 minutes on the trip.
Currently, 35 Lincoln high school students have hour long rides.
Lincoln school board members criticized state school board member Lloyd Jackson, a former State Senator who lives in
Hamlin and has two sons in Lincoln schools. Jackson sat silent, only to cast his vote for consolidation.
Carol Smith, president of the Lincoln school board, said "His political career has ended."
Ramey told The Herald that most of Lincoln County is united against Charleston. He said they may understand a lawsuit that will be slapped on them, saying this kind of action could not be constitutional.
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