Marshall University recommended to the West Virginia Board of Education that the Laboratory School be closed at the end of the 1969-1970 school year.  A study of campus schools in other states had beenmade and had revealed that many were being closed; "that while campus schools were once a vital part of teacher-education that they no longer fulfill the needs of teacher-education programs, the future requires a different type of training for teachers."  The Laboratory School for many years was considered the "STATUS SCHOOL" for Huntington, but the facility could no longer handle the demnds of an increasing teacher-education program.  Marshall officials said that for a long time only children of most affluent Huntington residents were admitted, because the school could accomodate only a limited number.  The decision for phasing out was given by Dr. Robert B. Hayes, Dean of M.U. Teachers College. There were three reasons for this decision: (1) It could no longer meet the needs of the rapidly changing programs of teacher education. (2) The North Central Association's evaluatiion team recommended major changes to the facilities and equipment of the school which budget restriction could not meet. (3) The Laboratory School teachers, due to growing enrollment, were over-taxed." The phasing out plan was "that the twelth grade continue through 1969-1970 and graduate, that the first grade close at the end of 1969, the Junior High School close at the end of 1967-1968 school year, and that grades 2-6 close out 1969-1970 school year. The kindergarten was to remain."  The phasing out continued the lst three years with decreasing numbers of students and grades, and with the grautiioin of 12 high school students, June 1970 it was completed.  One newspaper phrased it, "Lab School dies a age 74." "The death-bell rang for Marshall University Lab School as the twelve members of the final graduation class accepted their diplomas in commencement exercised in Marshall's Old Main auditorium June 2, 1970.  In graduation class were: Patty Schulte, Linda Hayes, David Brown, Major Simms, James Price, John Beaty, Becky Hager, Vicki Robison, Pamela Cook, Steve Johnson, Laura Springer, and Lisa Williams.