The bleachers from Paden City High School are shown.

In a recent Wetzel Board of Education meeting, the board decided to grant ownership of the high school to the Paden City Development Authority for $10. Was this a lock stock and barrel sale? No. Any items or equipment that can be used at other schools in the county and provide a beneficial need, was moved to other locations.

In a meeting with Superintendent Porter and Jonathan Snider, information director for the county, questions were asked to clarify details of recent changes. Porter explained that the county held onto items and equipment that could have uses in other locations. A question that arose in a recent meeting was the ownership of items given to the school by patrons of the school or city organizations. Mrs. Porter explained those items once given, become the property of the school. She did point out that the school band uniforms were given to the PCDA and that Items such as those would have no use to the school board.

Of the items that will remain are the large class pictures that are located throughout the school. There is a plan to have all the pictures scanned and be placed in the future new school where visitors and students can scan and look through the many years of history of the combined schools.

Recently the removal of the football field bleachers took place. They were moved to a corner of Magnolia’s football field for the time being. Many of the bleachers will be used to replace the visitors’ side that have needed upgrading. Some of the bleachers will be placed inside the track for spectators to watch track and field events in the spring of 2026.

Mrs. Porter stated that at the “present time” the press boxes and field lights will remain in place at Paden City’s field. Weight room equipment from the field house has been moved to Magnolia’s weight room.

In further conversations with Mrs. Porter, she explained the Hundred Heritage school is undergoing some changes for the coming year. The school green house was sold and has since been removed. The kitchen area of the school is undergoing some updates to meet the needs for next year. She also stated that the Department of Highways is making improvements to the Barker Road for the upcoming year.

At the last BOE meeting, Porter was given a directive from the board to negotiate for the land known as the McDiffitt property located near Porters Falls. Superintendent Porter stated the negotiations have been completed with the family members. The process now moves to the attorneys who will draw up the final agreement for the purchase. After that has been completed, the board members will be presented with the final purchase agreement for their approval and signatures.