The classrooms of Burnt Chimney and Henry elementary schools emptied for the final time on Wednesday. Teachers waved goodbye to students as they loaded onto buses and vehicles, marking the end of an era for these communities.
Public schools in SWVa are seeing dramatic enrollment declines leading some divisions to close schools. In Franklin County, Wednesday marks the final day for two small, rural elementaries.
Efforts are underway to update Franklin County s comprehensive plan which will help guide future growth in the county. Multiple public workshops are scheduled over the next few weeks to garner input on what the public would like to see as the plan is developed.
At a special public hearing held Saturday, the community urged the Franklin County School Board think carefully before making a decision on the fate of Henry and Burnt Chimney elementary schools. Both are facing possible closure at the end of the current school year.
A special meeting called by the Franklin County Board of Supervisors on Thursday gave no new information on the fate of multiple elementary schools in the county facing closure due to a reduction in state funding.