NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. — The controversy over possible school closings in Wetzel County will not be going away anytime soon. The Wetzel County Board of Education in a special meeting Friday voted to set a deadline of December 31st to decide on the future of the county’s four high schools.
Superintendent Cassie Porter has been charged by the board to craft a detailed plan for how to close or consolidate Magnolia, Paden City, Valley-Wetzel, and Hundred High Schools.
The move comes after Porter moved to close Paden City High School earlier this year out of concern over the potential contamination of the school and its grounds as a Superfund Cleanup Site. However, that decision by Porter was reversed by a Circuit Judge in a legal challenge mounted by community supporters of the school.
Porter released this statement on the board’s vote:
“Today’s vote was only the first step in a long process. Students, staff, and community members will have an opportunity to share their perspectives before the Board takes any final action. Over the next few weeks, an impact statement and supporting data will be compiled and shared with the community and our employees about our four high schools. As required by West Virginia law, this will include information about our enrollment, facilities, finances, staffing, transportation services, curriculum, and communities. And no decisions about school closings or consolidations will be made by the Board until after public hearings are conducted at each school that may be impacted. I fully appreciate the deep feelings that members of the community have about their local schools.
I am convinced though that once the public has examined all this data, they will understand why the Board has decided to consider every available option in meeting the education needs of Wetzel County’s students.”
Whatever plan she produces will need the approval of the Wetzel County Board of Education and the State Board of Education.