(Photo by Gwen Sour) The halls of VanDevender Middle School were packed Saturday afternoon as the community said its final farewell to the school before the building’s official closure.

PARKERSBURG — Wood County Schools has begun the process of closing three longtime schools as many came Saturday to take a final look around.

The closures of VanDevender “Vandy” Middle School, Maplewood School and Fairplains Elementary are part of a districtwide consolidation plan aimed at addressing declining enrollment and aging infrastructure.

The closures, approved by the Wood County Board of Education in October 2024 and later affirmed by the West Virginia Board of Education, will take effect for the 2025-26 school year. Students from VanDevender will be reassigned to Jackson and Hamilton middle schools, while Fairplains students will merge with Martin Elementary.

Superintendent Christie Willis said the decision followed an extensive review of school capacity, costs and conditions under the district’s Comprehensive Educational Facility Plan. VanDevender Middle School, with fewer than 300 students, was operating at 43% capacity and had one of the district’s highest energy costs. Fairplains Elementary, with fewer than 200 students, was also under capacity and not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In the final days before closing, several schools, including VanDevender Middle School, hosted a farewell walkthrough for former staff, students and community members. Assistant Principal Cody Ratliff said the event was meant to give people a chance to reconnect with their memories.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Blue handprints scatter the wall as a part of VanDevender Middle School’s Farewell Tour.

“I hope they get the opportunity to see the things in this building that made them who they are,” Ratliff said. “We’ve even allowed people to leave handprints on the wall as a way to leave their last stand.”

Ratliff acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment.

“I have a lot of mixed emotions about it,” he said. “I love this place a lot.”

Marsha Parsons, who began her teaching career at VanDevender in 1978 and retired in 2013, who returned for the walkthrough, said the school felt like home.

“It’s bittersweet,” Parsons said. “It’s really sad for those of us who called this place home.”

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Prior to the final day of classes, students at VanDevender Middle School wrote their farewell messages to the school on a chalkboard.

She understands that the decision was made for logistical and financial reasons, but said the change is still difficult for many.

The closures are part of a broader reconfiguration of Wood County Schools. A new North Parkersburg Elementary will be constructed on the former VanDevender site, and a new Vienna Elementary is also in development. Both schools are expected to feature modern amenities, updated security measures and new mascots chosen through community input.

The district estimates the consolidation will save about $864,000 annually, along with additional energy and operational savings.

Fairplains Elementary will be repurposed as a district warehouse, though community members have expressed hopes that parts of the building’s history will be preserved.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) An empty choir classroom inside VanDevender Middle School.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Trophies, jerseys and uniforms were free for the taking at the final walkthrough of VanDevender Middle School Saturday afternoon.The building is slated to be torn down.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Braxten Jones places his handprint on a wall to say his goodbye to VanDevender Middle School, Saturday afternoon.