Porter Gives Update On Wetzel Co. School Consolidation

Wetzel County Superintendent Cassie Porter
Wetzel County Schools will look vastly different this fall than it does right now. The district will realign itself, merging Hundred and Valley high schools and Paden City and Magnolia high schools into two new high schools, with the ultimate plan being one consolidated high school for all students in Wetzel County, and Paden City’s junior high students moving to New Martinsville School.
Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Cassie Porter recently sat down with the Wetzel Chronicle to discuss that consolidation process and plans for the new high school.
Q: The Wetzel County Board of Education has a large task ahead of it. The approved changes will affect virtually every school in the county. Where do you begin?
A: We have begun that process with a curriculum to provide all our students with the best education possible. Treasa Loy has begun looking at bus routes to make sure the timing and coordination of bus routes is the best possible. The process of coordinating classes is progressing. At the present time we have one Spanish teacher, we need to coordinate that with the other school. Our hope is to have two Spanish teachers for the beginning of the fall classes.
Q: Is your staff working on the fall of 2025-26 school realignment and are they also working toward the future school?
A: At the present time we are directing our efforts towards the beginning of the next school year. That is the most immediate action that needs to be taken. It will allow our staff and students to have a smooth transition into the school year and new surroundings for some students and staff. As to the future school, we are working in the background on finding property that will meet our needs. We have narrowed the choice down to two separate locations. Thrasher Engineering is working with us to provide the final information so that we can present it to the board for their review and approval. Both pieces of property have the room for athletics and any future expansion that may be needed.
Q: Do your plans include a timeline for the construction and the viability of the sight for the next 40 to 50 years?
A: Our goal is, in the next four to five years, to have a modern facility that will service the education needs for the next 40 to 50 years.
Q: You have stated that the priority is to have certified teachers in the classrooms. That estimate is based on your current teacher staffing and certification. But it is rumored teachers are going to move to other schools outside Wetzel, how does that affect your planning?
A: I have learned over my career teachers and staff come and go. Opportunities arise and they move to a different class they had wanted to teach. Here in Wetzel County, we have not been able to fit together the needs of classes and teachers with four schools. Next year, teachers may leave, but we have new inquiries as to openings that may be available. Think of it like Pangaea, the pieces will fit together to meet our goal of fully certified teachers for each classroom. We have teachers that are excited about next year. Math teachers may not have to teach just one class, they can expand and teach other higher areas of math. We are pleased with the excitement by staff for the coming year. We are going to meet with team leaders to lay out a plan for core classes next year. Input from teachers and team leaders is essential to bring the merging of schools with improvements in all areas of education.
Q: Wetzel County has been over the staffing formula for several years. Do you see that changing in the coming year?
A: Yes, I do. We will still be over the formula number, but not nearly as much as the past. Some movements will be through attrition and others from retirement and people moving. We will be financially responsible and fill the jobs that are needed. Some may retire and we may choose not to fill that position or do it some other way. In our impact statement, we said that current employees will have a home next year, we are holding strong to that commitment.
Q: At the last board meeting, the board approved the changing of the name of Hundred High School and allowing Long Drain School to move into the Hundred location.
A: Yes, the name will be changed at the beginning of the fall school year. Hundred schools will offer several improved facilities that they don’t have at the present time, the gym and auditorium will be a big improvement. The kitchen will undergo some changes to serve the students. The name will change to Hundred Heritage School. That keeps the HHS logo and Hornets. The community had input into these changes.
Q: That’s a big change, but you have an even larger challenge in changing the school names and colors involved in consolidation and all else that goes with the transition.
A: That is so hard. (Chief Personnel Officer Ben) McPherson and myself have met with a collective of kids from all four schools to get that conversation started. There are a couple trains of thought on that need, like not making the change so drastic since we are going into one school in the future. The group is conscious of the change and what they could do to help that future transition. The kids have come up with some good ideas. It is tricky and we are still trying to navigate that before we bring it in front of the board.
Q: At the last board meeting you told the board you had two pieces of land under consideration for the future school.
A: I had intended to make the presentation to the board Tuesday, but that work is not ready. We are looking at the land, and how the school would sit on the land. It is also important to consider the future area, and whether it could be developed into a location for a middle school. We are evaluating the locations to decide which would be the best for the buses. I hope to be able to present visual art concepts of the new school at the next meeting. The plan is to build one school with a projected cost of around $100 million dollars.
Q: There was talk of two schools. Is that not on the table?
A: At the present time we are concentrating on one school because of the cost. To build two would possibly become a burden to the county’s citizens. But the final determination will be made by the board.
Q: With the progress being made and the citizens of the county having taken so much interest in this question, will you at some point ask for input from citizens concerning the future school?
A: Yes, absolutely. Part of that was in the public survey that was conducted for us by Thrasher to gather information on what the citizens wanted. We will have some platform for public input, but at this time I am not sure how we are going to do that. But I will definitely ask for input and ideas. That future school will serve this county for many years, we want to do the best we can to make sure it gives the county students the best opportunity available now and in the future.
Q: The board members and school district staff have experienced ups and downs over the last 18 months. Is the mission still on track?
A: Schools are part of the community fabric that is made from the past alumni and kids presently in the system. But since the state approved our request, community members are beginning to see that if we work together, we can all be part of the future we create for students. Our goal is to open the doors in four to five years. Today’s students in the seventh or eighth grade in all likelihood will be the ones walking through the doors into a new future given to them by the citizens of the county.”
Q: Any estimate when the first shovel of dirt will be moved?
Porter: This is only my hope, that if things go well with permits and construction requirements, by this fall at about the same time school begins, the first shovel of dirt will be moved.