A Paden City High School female student was expelled for the rest of the semester for allegedly being in possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, Oct. 1 on school property.

Superintendent of Schools Bill Jones said special circumstances that emerged during the expulsion hearing led him to recommend a shorter penalty than he has recommend previously – a full calendar year.

Because marijuana is a controlled substance, the student is not eligible for the Intervention Program for Substance Abuse, introduced last school year. She will spend the balance of the semester receiving a standard alternative education. Jones said at the end of the expulsion period, he will look at her “grades, attendance, and behavior” in determining if additional penalty is indicated or not. The charges against the student are a violation of multiple state and local school board policies, as well as the West Virginia Safe Schools Act. Jones said the matter will be referred to the Wetzel County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.