Williamstown High School senior Ava Lightfritz told the Wood County Board of Education Tuesday night that their decision to place Principal Jason Ward on paid suspension was a mistake and that Ward has had a positive impact on the lives of the students. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education voted Tuesday night to place Williamstown Middle/High School Principal Jason Ward on paid suspension beginning Feb. 18 pending the outcome of an investigation.

Board President Justin Raber explained the board has no knowledge as to why Ward is being recommended for suspension, only that he is, but said, “there have not been any charges against (the) employee that warrants an unpaid suspension.”

“When it comes to an employee wishing to request a hearing on an unpaid suspension and/or termination, that is the time that we as a board are permitted to hear the evidence and make a decision. We can’t receive that information prior to the hearing, that the employee is present at,” Raber said.

Board member Ron Tice asked if the motion was made to pay the employee until the investigation has been concluded. Raber said that was the recommendation of the superintendent.

Raber explained that during a paid suspension, an employee’s due process rights are not at risk. He said if there was a recommendation for an unpaid suspension, or termination, that is when evidence would be presented to the board to make a decision.

Williamstown High School senior Alexis Wynn talks to the Wood County Board of Education Tuesday night about their decision to place Principal Jason Ward on paid suspension being a mistake. Wynn said the school was not only losing a principal but a leader that puts the well-being of his students above his own. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Two Williamstown High School seniors – Alexis Wynn and Ava Lightfritz – voiced their concerns about Ward’s suspension.

“We are not just losing a principal, we’re losing a leader,” Wynn said. “Who puts (the student’s) well-being above his own. Above his convenience and the easy way out.”

Lightfritz said Ward has consistently been supportive of all students, staff and athletics, even before he became principal. She said, “there is not a negative thing that can be said about Mr. Ward and everything he has done for the community of Williamstown.

“Removing him from the school would be the wrong move on the part of the Board of Education. He has never put himself over any of the students or staff, (and) always ensures the right thing is done,” Lightfritz said. “And (he) has taught us to fight for what we believe in, which is why I am here today.”

The board also received a presentation from Pickering Associates President and CEO Ryan Taylor about the North Parkersburg Elementary School and the new Vienna Elementary. He described the property located on the former campus of Ohio Valley University as a “nice piece of property” that is suitable for the new school. He said the North End property, which involves a 10-acre lot currently used for school buildings, was also a suitable location.

Pickering Associates President and CEO Ryan Taylor and Assistant Superintendent of Operations Kaleb Lawrence talk to the Wood County Board of Education Tuesday night about the new Vienna and North End elementary projects. Taylor said the target completion date for the North End project is mid-June 2027. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“My recommendation tonight for the school (district) is, you’ve got a good piece of property and it’s adequate to build an elementary school,” Taylor said.

An overview of the information presented to the board can be found below:

School Property Acquisition in Vienna

Vienna Roadway Extension and Funding

* $500,000 commitment from City of Vienna for roadway

Dr. Jason Hughes, director of the Wood County Technical Center and the Caperton Center for Applied Technology, gave the Wood County Board of Education an update Tuesday night saying the inclusion of personal finance as a CTE course, as well as dual credit and AP English courses, has helped increase participation in tech programs. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

* Additional funding from state and other entity

* Roadway estimated at $2 million

* Recommendation to study bussing and transportation

Utility Connections and Water Tower Concerns

* Vienna tapped out on sanitary and water services

* Options to tie into existing sewer system or new dedicated line

* Concerns about water tower pressure and volume

* Gas, electric, and fiber optic connections available

Property Acquisition and Infrastructure Plans

* Property described as suitable for new elementary school

* Recommendations include legal agreements, uniform campus design

* City of Vienna encouraged to maintain new roadway

Neighborhood Impact and Sewer Management

* Concerns about 12th Street condition and traffic

* New roadway to be 30-foot with amenities, turned over to Vienna

* Efforts to minimize impact on neighboring residents

North End Project Updates

* 10-acre lot, mass excavation and dirt replacement required

* Asbestos abatement, archeological and historical studies

* Traffic impact not a major issue, utilities available on site

* Demolition of Lincoln and Vandevender buildings planned after tours for the public are completed

Recommendations and Coordination

* Coordinate with City of Parkersburg, complete all studies

* Understand bussing and transportation needs

* North End property deemed adequate for new school

Taylor said the target completion date for the North End project is mid-June 2027, which he said would be a “very tight” timeline that will require good weather.

Dr. Jason Hughes, director of the Wood County Technical Center and the Caperton Center for Applied Technology, gave the board an update and said the inclusion of personal finance as a CTE course, as well as dual credit and AP English courses, has helped increase participation in tech programs.

“Personal finance, which is now a high school requirement, will count as a participant level CTE course. So when you think about every student taking that, that’s beneficial, but so is dual credit or AP English 11 and 12, because they’ve wrapped those courses into a CTE pathway,” Hughes said.

He also talked about interest from middle schools in expanding CTE offerings saying this includes exploring the possibility of offering high school-level CTE courses at Williamstown Middle School.

“We have middle schools that are very much interested in expanding what they’re doing,” Hughes said.

Hughes requested the addition of a guidance counselor position.

“I have the money in my CTE funds for that position in hopes that as things get better in the next few years, it can be a sustained county position,” Hughes said.

The board approved his request during the consent agenda.

The next Wood County Board of Education meeting is scheduled for March 25 at 6 p.m. and will be held in the Jefferson Elementary Center auditorium. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed online.

Douglass Huxly can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com