Group Working to Promote Benefits of Paden City High School - State Journal

PADEN CITY -- An issue important to one Wetzel County Community is the status of it's high school.

Recently, a group of citizens has become concerned that it's school may be facing closure due to the board of education's proposal for a 10-year-plan.

Signs are up all across Paden City stating "Choose Paden City Schools."

These signs are a response to a recent decision to place the possible merger of Paden City High School with another school in the county's ten year plan.

That plan must be submitted to the state board of education by August 2010.

A group of citizens working as part of the Cornerstone Project wants to see that option taken off of the list.

"This is not Paden City versus the board of education. This is not Paden City versus Wetzel County. This is simply a group of people that's here to sustain and maintain what's already in Wetzel County," Paden City High School Athletic Director Fred King said.

King said it is important to keep the school open to allow the students who attend thier school to have opportunities to be involved in activities that they may not be able to participate in at other schools.

King also said keeping the school open is also good for business.

"The school is the hub of the community. A lot of money is spent in town because of the school. If you lose the school, then there's no need for people to be in town spending their money. It'd be spent in other towns," said King.

Paden City businessman Rodney Wade agreed.

"I feel that the school is the lifeblood of the town. If we lose this school, it'd be a terrible tragedy. I know there are only five miles between New Martinsville and Paden City, but I think, for the town's sake, we need the school," said Wade, owner of Quality Aluminum.

While there are still many months ahead before the proposal containing the possible merger will be submitted, the Cornerstone Project wants to get information regarding the benefits of the school to the public and the board of education as soon as possible.

King said to remember that this is only part of a proposal for a 10-year-plan.

The Wetzel County Board of Education has not made any kind of decision to close the school.

Paden City may be a town in a dormant stage, but the children of the community should be thought of first. Does any parent wish for their child to travel the winding, narrow roads of route 2 in the winter months, early in the morning when ice and snow are present for for up to five months of the year? Many children would be on this bus route for over an hour. A safe facility is available. Students wanting to complete advanced courses have the option of dual enrollments using technology and on-line courses.

The small school population also offers the children of the town an opportunity to take part in a variety of extra curricular activities due to the small number of students in attendance. If these children are filtered in to another school with a larger student body, most will lose the opportunity to participate in sports activities for lack of being able to make the team "cuts."

Yes, I am saddened by the state of our once proud town. Clean it up folks. Pick up your trash. Paint your homes. Get rid of the junk cars/trucks. Demolish the buildings that are falling in and are beyond repair.

Removing the High School, the one thing standing proud in the center of town, will not help the community.

Come together and quit arguing with each other within the town. Get over it. You all need to pull together for a common goal if you are going to have success. City Council, I am talking to all of you.

This artical says, " students who attend their school to have opportunities to be involved in activities that they may not be able to participate in at other schools". Is this a joke.? They would have more opportunities and more activities to participate in at another school like Magnolia or Tyler consolidated and get a better education...the town is dead and so is the school. They hardly have enough kids to field a football team anymore. ..... give me a break, all this school does is cost Wetzel county money...

Huh??? A lot of money is spent in town because of the school? Maybe on Fri nights during a football game. Where is it spent....Gas stations....The dollar store.... The Legion.... The reality of this situation is that Paden City is ALREADY dead or dying. With no real opportunity for jobs other than low paying menial crap, people are NOT living there.. Sentimentality doesn't pay the bills!