West Virginia student enrollment is down 2.5% since last year, state superintendent says

West Virginia schools have lost 2.5% of their students in the past year, state Superintendent Michele Blatt said today.

The state’s student enrollment is now 234,957 students, Blatt said during a state Board of Education meeting.

The ongoing loss of student population has been a major factor in a wave of school closures across the state.

Within the past week, the Roane County Board of Education voted to close two elementary/middle schools and consolidate students into other nearby schools.

The Barbour County Board of Education has voted to close middle schools throughout the county. And Randolph County has also dealt with closures and consolidations this year.

The state experienced a wave of school consolidations last year, one thatBlatt told lawmakers earlier this year was historic.