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Ritchie residents addressed the Ritchie County Board of Education Monday about their concerns over school consolidation.
School Superintendent Edward Toman said a Comprehensive Education Facilities Plan (C.E.F.P.) was sent to the West Virginia of Education in 2010.
The C.E.F.P. plan is a ten year plan to renovate Harrisville and Creed Collins Elementary Schools and includes the closure of Ellenboro Elementary. Toman stated the C.E.F.P. is a living document and could be amended at any time.
"With some of the excess value with our taxes with the gas taxes coming in and some revenue there that it looks like for the next two years financially we (Ritchie County Schools) will be okay," said Toman.
Residents said when the plan was developed in 2010, it was amended by the B.O.E. County newspapers wrote in February 2010 that Ellenboro Elementary would remain open and not be included in the plan for closure.
The 2010 plan was never changed or amended by B.O.E. President Carolyn Bowie and sent to the state B.O.E. with Ellenboro Elementary slated for closure.
"They (Ritchie County B.O.E.) are wanting to close three of our elementary schools, because they (the B.O.E.) is saying we cannot afford them. The plans that were sent to Charleston included upgrades and stuff that does not have to be done, therefore it drove up the millions of dollars in price," Said Jane Wilson, Ellenboro resident.
Residents called for a vote in Monday night's meeting, but the Ritchie County B.O.E. stated they haven't been educated enough on the matter to make a decision.
Superintendent Toman said they will continue working with the School Building Authority to see what is best for the students of Ritchie County. | 
