FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Only half the students in Marion County attended school during the first three days of buck firearms season.

During Monday’s Marion County Board of Education meeting, Randy Farley, administrative assistant of curriculum and instruction, gave the board percentages and numbers of students who were absent on Monday, Nov. 24; Tuesday, Nov. 25; and Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Throughout the county, 47.82 percent of students enrolled in Marion County schools were absent during the first three days of hunting season combined.

The two schools with the highest percentage of absent students during those days combined were North Marion High School, with 79.12 percent, and Mannington Middle School, with 72.55 percent.

The two schools with the lowest percentage of absent students during those days combined were White Hall Elementary, with 25 percent, and East Fairmont High School, with 25.03 percent.

Gary Price, superintendent of Marion County Schools, said the BOE received several phone calls during those days, which in the past have been days off of school, with complaints about having school. Marion County Schools did have Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving off.

“People were extremely upset and couldn’t understand why we made that decision…