Associated Press Published

Governor Won't Intervene in Consolidation Rift

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West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is staying out of a funding issue involving school consolidation in Fayette County.

State Board of Education President Mike Green wrote to Tomblin on Tuesday, asking that the School Building Authority conduct a new vote after rejecting Fayette County’s funding request.

Tomblin spokeswoman Shayna Varner tells the Charleston Gazette-Mail that Tomblin won’t force the SBA to hold a special meeting.

In September the Board of Education voted to combine Fayetteville, Meadow Bridge, Midland Trail and Oak Hill high schools. In denying the funding request Monday, the SBA cited a lack of local support, including a rejected bond issue by voters.

Green says the SBA exceeded its authority because it was only supposed to determine whether the required data had been filed.