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Wetzel BOE considers two sites for new high school

(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

NEW MARTINSVILLE — Members of the Wetzel County Board of Education this week plan to visit two potential sites for the possible construction of a new consolidated high school.

The decision to visit the sites was made Tuesday during the board’s regular meeting. After visiting the sites in pairs on their own time, a special board meeting is set for 6 p.m. Monday so members can discuss the locations and potentially choose one.

Board members present for Tuesday’s meeting included Christine Nice, President Linda Fonner, Jimmy Glasscock and Vice President Brian Castilow. Member Christine Mitchell joined in via telephone.

Engineering firm The Thrasher Group presented the board with the two potential sites — one named Blake along West Virginia 7 and another named Fluharty along West Virginia 20. After discussing the pros and cons of each and showing the board how a school and facilities such as athletic fields and parking would fit, Thrasher officials said they believed the Fluharty site would be the best option.

Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Cassandra Porter said Thrasher had narrowed down their choices after visiting several sites. And prior to that, Porter and other school officials had been looking at potential building sites for about two years.

Thrasher officials said both sites had hills and valleys and would require much excavation, but would provide just enough room for a building pad that would include the new school, football/soccer field, baseball and softball fields and parking.

Both sites have creeks and railroad crossings to deal with. Each site is also within the vicinity of cemeteries.

The Fluharty site stands out, they noted, because it would provide additional parking space to accommodate larger crowds of visitors and potential space for a practice field.

Architect Craig Baker said the next step, after a site is chosen, is for The Thrasher Group to do a more in-depth study of the property.

“Our recommendation for the next phase is to narrow it down to one site. Then we will enter the next phase of due diligence,” he said.

This would include an environmental study to look for wetlands and soil boring samples to test for undermining and voids.

“It’s not insurmountable, but these are things that could be a deal breaker or an opportunity for the negotiating process,” he said.

“We don’t just want to spend money. We want to spend enough so we know it works,” he added of the site.

Meanwhile, the board is still mulling whether to use brand new colors, mascots and more during the interim phase of closing Paden City High School and merging it into Magnolia High and the New Martinsville School, and closing Hundred High School and merging it into Valley High School. During the meeting, some board members said they like the idea of having new colors and mascots, while others said they believed it might be a waste of money and that existing colors and mascots should be used instead.

The board plans to soon offer an online survey that residents can take to provide their ideas on potential new names, colors and more for the consolidated schools.

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