Students from Youngsville High School standing before the vote to decide whether to close their school. 

In a contentious and emotional meeting Monday night, the Warren County School board voted to close both Sheffield and Youngsville High Schools, consolidating the county’s high school students into two centralized locations.

The meeting was standing room only, with passionate community members, students and parents in attendance. The board narrowly passed the motion in a 5-4 vote. Board members Cody Brown, Kevin Lindvay, Paul Mangione, Mary Passinger, and John Wortman voted in favor of the closures, while Savanna Cochran, Tammi Holden, Stephanie Snell, and Dan Sullivan opposed.

Under the new plan, students in grades nine to 12 from Sheffield will attend Warren Area High School, and students from Youngsville will attend Eisenhower High School beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

Before the vote, board member Snell made an impassioned plea to reconsider the closures, expressing concern over the impact on students. “This feels like simply putting a notch in your belt,” Snell said. “The minimum these kids are on a bus one way is an hour and 11 minutes.”

In a powerful moment before the Youngsville vote, students seated on the floor in front of the board stood up in unison, a silent but striking plea to keep their schools open. Despite their efforts, the board moved forward with the decision, leaving some students visibly emotional, with tears streaming as the results were announced. Parents also expressed frustration and dismay, voicing their concerns about the loss of local schools.

When asked for a statement after the vote, Superintendent Gary Weber issued a prepared statement. “On January 13th, 2024, the Warren County School District voted in favor of consolidating high schools as part of a strategic plan to enhance academic offerings and achieve long-term sustainability,” Weber said.

“Tonight’s decision is a pivotal step toward creating a more equitable educational experience for our students. The district is committed to ensuring that this transition is as seamless as possible for students, parents and faculty.”

The decision to close Sheffield and Youngsville High Schools marks a significant turning point for the Warren County School District. While proponents of the consolidation argue it will enhance educational opportunities and address financial challenges, the emotional reactions at Monday’s meeting underscore the deep ties between local schools and their communities.

The board’s decision to move into an executive session immediately following the vote only heightened tensions which when asked why they did this they said to “consult with a solicitor.” Parents and students left the meeting with a mixture of disappointment and uncertainty about what lies ahead.

As the district prepares for the transition, many in the community are grappling with the reality of a future without two of its longstanding high schools.