School Consolidation: Let's Clear Up a Few Things

Confusion certainly exists as to whether there is a legitimate financial reason for Superintendent Martha Dean's proposed school consolidation plan.

In this article, the Commentator would like its readers to consider a few matters:

• Never has the Commentator published an opinion either for or against school consolidation.
• The Commentator, like any responsible media source, has published the facts as provided to it by various sources, including the Superintendent, the Board offices, and the WV State Board of Education.
• The Commentator has sought out the positions on both sides of the issue, from those opposing the consolidation plan to its main proponent, Dr. Dean (reference our long interview with Dr. Dean conducted jointly with the editor of the Webster Echo).
• The Commentator has raised questions about the plan, like any media source would do.
• The Commentator has the highest respect for Dr. Dean, her abilities, and her sincerity, regardless of whether we would eventually agree or disagree with all or parts of her proposed plan.
• The Commentator will continue to seek out information and raise questions so that the public is fully and fairly informed about this issue.
• Contrary to the false post on the trash site Topix.com, the Commentator never said that the Commentator agrees that Dr. Dean or anyone else has "lied" about the budget deficit.

Now, having vented those issues, we turn to the issue of whether there is a significant school budget deficit that supports the school consolidation plan. 

The deficit has been stated publicly as about $300,000.00, $288,608.00, $59,980.00, and/or $1,897.99. Which is correct? Well, here are our sources for these numbers:

1. $300,000.00 (watch video of Dr. Dean below):


2. $288,608.00 (see bottom right of photo below):

3. $59,980.00 (see photo below of WV State Board of Education agenda item--see bottom right of chart):

4. $1,897.99 (see photo below of Dr. Dean's letter):

Now you judge which is correct.

We unfortunately conclude that we can not answer that question, and call upon the Superintendent or any Board member in favor of the plan to provide a response and/or explanation as to whether there is a current or future financial reason justifying the consolidation plan, including whether any part of the financial reason is a school budget deficit and how much is the deficit.