The West Virginia Board of Education has approved the closure of John J. Cornwell Elementary School in Hampshire County ahead of schedule, because of accelerated enrollment decreases, safety concerns, and required educational needs. The school is one of five elementary schools earmarked to close after the county passed a school construction bond last year, which will result in the construction of three new consolidated schools. Students will be reassigned from the closed school from Romney or Slanesville elementary schools in the interim.