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LINCOLN BOARD WILL SUE STATE OVER CONSOLIDATION - Says State Usurped Elected Boards Power |
| (06/24/2003) |
| By Bob Weaver The Lincoln County school consolidation case has all the elements of a constitutional battle, in addition to the residents of a poor rural county fighting the power of state government. The state has never waffled over Lincoln school consolidation, voting to close four schools a few days ago and building a new high school. The Lincoln County Board of Education voted unanimously yesterday to sue the State Department of Education, claiming that body usurped the constitutional power of an elected school board. The state took over Lincoln schools three years ago, claiming poor performance. Thomas Ramey, a Lincoln County activist against consolidation, said it is also an issue of taxation without representation, with a local survey saying only 10% of Lincoln county residents want the new $30,000,000 school, the costliest ever built in the state. About 800 students would attend. State board President Howard Persinger, Jr. told Lincoln residents last week he was sorry, but "This is democracy in action." Ramey, a member of Challenge WV, told the Hur Herald that over 300 students will be riding a school bus at least two hours a day getting to the new school, 40 of which will be riding the bus three hours. When residents complained at last week's meeting which officially closed the four schools, state board member Sandra Chapman said she couldn't help were people lived. Appointed school Superintendent William Grizzell, who is at odds with his school board, says he doubts the state board will approve funds for the local board to pursue the lawsuit. Ramey said "This kind of pressure could not be legal." Grizzell says the local board may have to raise the money itself, if they want to fight the state. Ramey said there is great disparity in funding for county school systems. "There are many issues related to violating local control," he said. The state appears to be taking over local school systems." Even the property to the new school is questionable, said Ramey. Both sides of the access bridge to the school can flood, in addition to other areas of the property. West Virginia is among the few states that remains on a consolidation bandwagon, with most systems in America returning to community-based schools. Former State Senator and Lincoln County resident Lloyd Jackson,"has been playing all his cards against the people of Lincoln County," said Ramey. Jackson was recently appointed to the state board by Gov. Bob Wise.
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