Warren County High School Welcomes E. Wilson Morrison Students After Emergency Closure

Students and staff at Warren County High School opened their doors this week to members of the E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School community after structural concerns forced the 91-year-old elementary school to close unexpectedly.

What began as a request to replace several missing bricks at E. Wilson Morrison led to the discovery of more serious concerns near the school’s main entrance. The building was examined Monday, Aug. 24, and access was restricted while engineers began a full assessment.

With students unable to return to E. Wilson Morrison, Warren County Public Schools moved quickly to establish temporary classrooms at several schools across the county. At Warren County High School, the sudden arrival of younger students and their teachers required classrooms to be moved, spaces to be shared and routines to be adjusted.

WCHS Principal Ken Knesh reflected on that response in his Aug. 28 edition of “The Wildcat Report,” praising students and staff for the kindness, flexibility and empathy they showed during an unusual and emotional week.

“Think about it. What if you left this building on a Friday afternoon and were told you could not come back?” Knesh wrote. “Despite facing this exact scenario, the staff at EWM are making the best of the situation.”

Knesh urged the Wildcat community to remember what EWM employees and students are facing and to continue supporting them.

“We must remember that we are here to support, to offer our very best to them,” he wrote.

Classes decorated areas of the high school to welcome EWM students, while staff members came in early to prepare spaces. Teachers also adjusted their own classrooms to make room for their new neighbors.

Knesh specifically thanked Mrs. Lachgar and Mrs. Ramey for sharing their spaces with EWM.

“I know the move wasn’t easy, but you stepped up, and we are so thankful!” he wrote.

The response also included help from Warren County High School students. DECA recently acquired drones, and students used them to produce a video for the EWM Open House. Knesh thanked Mr. Richard Gardner and DECA for producing the video.

For Knesh, the Wildcat community’s response was the biggest reason to celebrate the week.

“Everyone pitched in, made sacrifices, and cared for our new friends, and it was beautiful,” he wrote. “Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You all are the reason we are who and what we are every day.