The Raleigh County Board of Education, in January of 2002, decided to implement a plan for closure for Marsh Fork High School. This school houses grades 7 through 12, and according to the board, is in the most isolated part of the county.
The citizens of this community came together and fought the closure of their school and the death of their community and won. The Board appealed the local judges decision, which stated that the local Board violated the open governmental meetings law and did not observe the procedures relevant to the development of a ten year Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan. On September 19, 2002 all five judges of the West Virginia Supreme Court agreed with the local judge that Marsh Fork High School is to remain open.
