Associated Press Published

School Rebuild Plan Unveiled After West Virginia Flooding

Debris covers the floor of the Richwood Middle School art room. Floodwaters completely blew out the large glass window exposing the classroom to the outdoors.

A mediation team has released a proposal to replace several Nicholas County schools after deadly 2016 floods.

Representatives of the state Department of Education, state Board of Education and the Nicholas County Board of Education released the proposal Monday.

The plan includes building at least one school serving sixth through 12th graders in Richwood within 3 miles (4 kilometers) of the former Richwood High School. It would include distinct spaces for middle and high school students, even if they are on a shared campus.

The plan also includes a middle school and a high school near the center of Nicholas County and would include a career and technical education facility.

The Nicholas County school board had proposed consolidating Summersville, Richwood and Craigsville schools into a single campus near Summersville. The state board rejected the plan.