Wetzel BOE Moves Towards Consolidation
On Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. the Wetzel Board of Education convened a special meeting to consider two motions for the county’s four high schools. The first motion by Superintendent Porter was to close Paden City and Consolidation into Magnolia High School and New Martinsville School, creating a new school. A second motion was to Close Hundred High School and consolidate students into Valley High Schools
Superintendent Cassie Porter reported that the impact statement has been submitted and returned. Mrs. Porter: “The first step was to prepare the impact statement; this meeting today is to have the motions for consolidation of Hundred High School into Valley High School. Paden City High School into Magnolia High School and New Martinsville School. This is only the first step.”
First motion before the board: Explain to the public at meetings and receive submitted statements and testimony, and question county school officials.
On November 13, 2024 the first meeting will be held at Magnolia High School at 6 p.m. A second public meeting will be held on November 14th beginning at 6:00pm. for the public to give statements, testimony and question school officials.
On November 15th at 6:00 p.m. another public meeting will be held at Paden City High School to take statements, testimony and questions for the county’s schools’ officials.
On November 22nd A meeting at which the Board of Education will take formal actions on the Superintendent’s proposal to close Paden City High School and consolidate into Magnolia High SChool and New Martinsville School will be held at the board office at 9:00 a.m.
The second Motion before the board: A public hearing on the proposal to close Hundred High School and consolidate into Valley High School. Meeting will be held at Hundred High School on November 18th beginning at 6:00 p.m. At which time the public may submit statements and testimony and question county school officers.
A second meeting will be held at Valley High school for a public hearing on the Consolidation of Hundred High School into Valley High School on November 20th at 6:00 p.m. Statement and testimony and question of the county school officers will be taken.
A meeting at which the Board of Education will take formal actions on the Superintendents proposal to close Hundred High School and Consolidation into Valley High School will be held at the Board Office on November 22, 2024 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Upon consideration and statements for the board members a vote was taken on the two-motions put forth by Superintendent Porter. The first motion to close Paden City High School and consolidation with Magnolia High School and New Martinsville School passed on a motion by Christine Mitchell and seconded by President Linda Fonner. The motion received four yes and one no. The vote against was by Board Member Jimmy Glasscock.
Upon consideration by the board members a vote was taken on the second proposed motion by Superintendent Porter To close Hundred High School and consolidate it into Valley High School. Board Member Christine Nice made the motion and President Linda Fonner seconded it. The motion passed four to one. Member Jimmy Glasscock was opposed to motion.
Meeting adjourned.