KEEP THEM OPEN — Upshur County resident Abigail Jeffries urged members of the West Virginia Board of Education to reject a request to close Rock Cave Elementary School. -- Photo Courtesy/WV Board of Education

CHARLESTON — Despite the objections of several residents, the West Virginia Board of Education said its hands were tied when it came to halting proposed school closing and consolidation plans for six counties and 15 schools, calling on lawmakers to provide flexibility.

The state Board of Education met Wednesday morning for its regular monthly meeting at the Department of Education offices on the campus of the State Capitol Complex.

The bulk of the state board’s agenda was filled with requests from six counties to approve amendments to their comprehensive educational facilities plan

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