| By Bob Weaver
WV education officials are concerned about the condition of Troy and Sand Fork Elementary schools.
Earlier this week, the West Virginia Department of Education's Office of School Facilities sent a letter to Gilmer County School Superintendent Edward Toman, suggesting the two schools should be structurally evaluated as soon as possible.
Officials from the Office of School Facilities did a walk-through of both schools on December 11.
During those walk-throughs, officials reportedly noticed indications of problems that were similar to problems at Normantown Elementary School.
One of the issues at Sand Fork was sagging floors.
Superintendent Ed Toman advised Gilmer school board members about the letter from administrator Bill Elswick at Monday's meeting.
Toman told board members he did not initiate the inspection.
Normantown was closed in 2007, after a severe mold problem was discovered with students attending school in modular units.
That closure was followed by an administrative movement to bus Normantown's students to Glenville Elementary.
School board member Misty Pritt said rumors are flying like wildfire in the community regarding the walk-through, indicating a movement to close the rural schools.
"We're really concerned about these rumors. There has been no school board action," Pritt said.
Pritt said earlier evaluations by the State Fire Marshal's office found minimal problems.
The issue will likely be discussed at a January 26th school board meeting.
| 
