Wetzel County School Board is creating plan to consolidate up to 6 schools

NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. (WTRF) — The Wetzel County School Board voted ‘yes’ on Friday for the county superintendent and staff to create a plan for consolidation of schools in the county, which could cut two high schools.

The board voted 3-1 to allow Superintendent Cassandra Porter and her staff to create a plan to present to the West Virginia Board of Education about consolidating schools in the county.

The Wetzel County Board of Education plans to consolidate Paden City High School with Magnolia High School and Valley High School with Hundred High School.

They have also discussed a plan to consolidate Paden City 7th and 8th grade with New Martinsville 7th and 8th grade.

During Friday’s Special Meeting, Porter said they will present a packet to the West Virginia Board of Education, and it has to be approved by it before any school or board meeting can happen regarding consolidation.

Also, the Wetzel County School Board said that if the plan is approved for consolidation they would hold hearings at each location involved before a vote for consolidation would take place.

If the West Virginia School Board approves the plan, it will be on display for 30 days. If the board says no, Wetzel County Schools says it would be pushed into the next school year and business would continue as normal.

If the state board agrees and the Wetzel County School Board votes yes for consolidation, the consolidation can go through for the 2025-26 school year.

“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.”

Superintendent Cassandra Porter

The Wetzel County School Board also said if the vote didn’t get approved to move forward with a yes to start a plan, it would have died today.

The Wetzel County School Board is expected to have a meeting on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

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