Suggestion of school closings in Washington County faces pushback

HAGERSTOWN, Md. ( DC News Now ) — A recommendation made back in 2021 to close public schools in Washington County that had student enrollment below 60% has creeped back into the conversation.

County commissioner Derek Harvey suggested last week that closing Hancock Middle Senior School and Cascade Elementary might be reconsidered.

But members of the county school board have vowed to fight against the suggestion. Board member Linda Murray said there is no need to revisit the proposed closures and that parents in the affected communities have already spoken out.

“We had a public hearing and parents came out and talked to us and gave us very good reasons why we shouldn’t close those schools,” Murray said. “So we’re not closing those schools. We’re going to keep them open for the community.”

County school board president, Melissa Williams said she and county school’s superintendent, David Sovine, have been working to expand course offerings at the school in Hancock.

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