The students, one male and one female, attend Magnolia High School. Their expulsions bring to six the total number of students so disciplined in the 2008-09 school year, still in its first nine-week grading period.

The female student, alleged to have been in possession of alcohol, was expelled for the remainder of the school year.

The male student allegedly made physical threats against another student while in possession of a deadly weapon. He was expelled for one calendar year. The unrelated incidents occurred on Oct. 23.

The expulsions followed closed hearings during a lengthy Nov. 6 special meeting of the Wetzel County Board of Education, which voted unanimously to sustain the expulsion recommendations of County Superintendent of Schools Bill Jones.

Information on both incidents has been referred to Wetzel County Prosecuting Attorney Timothy E. Haught, who was present at the board meeting. Following the meeting, Haught commented “This board takes a safe learning environment seriously and I supports its consistent expulsion policy.” He also noted that “five percent of the students create 95 percent of the problems.”

Others present at the meeting were New Martinsville Police Sgt. Steve Kastigar, MHS Principal Kathi Schmalz, and Assistant Principal Marilyn McWhorter.

By state law, both students will continue to receive educational services, at an alternative site, during the expulsion periods, which may be reduced upon the superintendent’s recommendation.

Jones said any such recommendation would be based on the students’ attendance at alternative education classes, their behavior, and academic performance.