APPALACHIA VIRGINIA TOWN LEADERS HAVE SENT A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE WISE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND THAT IS TO KEEP ITS HIGH SCHOOL OPEN. IF SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE DETERMINED TO CONSOLIDATE ITS SIX HIGH SCHOOLS INTO THREE, THEN THEY NEED TO LOOK AT SEVERAL OTHER OPTIONS. THE TOWN COUNCIL PLANS TO OFFER THE COUNTY OVER 700 ACRES OF LAND NEAR IT’S RESERVOIR AS A SITE TO BUILD A NEW CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL. THE LAND WOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS FROM BIG STONE GAP, APPALACHIA AND NORTON STUDENTS. ALSO, TOWN LEADERS WANT TO MEET WITH NORTON’S SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY OFFICIALS TO LOOK AT HAVING NORTON ACCEPT APPALACHIA’S STUDENTS INTO ITS SCHOOL SYSTEM. IT COULD BE AWHILE BEFORE ALL THE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED.