photo by: Ed Parsons

Wetzel County Assessor Scott Lemley speaks during a public hearing over Wetzel County school consolidation.

HUNDRED — Hundreds packed the Hundred High School gymnasium and dozens got up to offer their opinions on the proposed consolidation of Hundred and Valley high schools.

That consolidation is part of an overall plan to consolidate Hundred and Valley, as well as Paden City and Magnolia high schools, while moving Paden City’s seventh and eighth graders to New Martinsville School.

If the Wetzel County Board of Education approves the plan, the moves will happen for next school year. Hundred and Valley students will use Valley High School, while Paden City and Magnolia high schools will use Magnolia. New school names, colors and mascots will be created.

The hearings are part of the legal requirements that allow residents of each community affected to state their positions on the proposed consolidation and ask questions to Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Cassie Porter and school administrators.

More than 300 people crowded into Hundred High for Monday’s hearing and 62 signed up to speak. Porter opened the meeting with a statement concerning the closure of the school.

Several students then stated to Porter and the board their displeasure with the plan and objection to Hundred’s closure.

Hundred football coach Jason Sleeth discussed the effects the consolidation of Hundred and Valley would have on the kids.

Sleeth told the board it must put the best interest of the students first and he doesn’t feel board members have the students’ best interest at heart.

Other speakers spoke about travel time, dangerous roads, safety of the students, long bus rides, loss of residents, students choosing to attend other schools, impacts on the community, disbelief that a new consolidated school will ever be built. They spoke about bullying and mental health, no opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities due to long bus rides, special relationships they have between students and teachers that will be lost if the consolidation happens. Many asked the board to consider the legacy of Hundred High School and all the great things they have accomplished.

Wetzel County Assessor Scott Lemley addressed the board and said Hundred High should not close, and doesn’t believe an impact statement or study exists that would support or provide credible results that show students from low-income families or bad home lives would receive a better education with consolidation.

“Longer bus rides, less time with family, and unfamiliarity with classmates are all factors that lead to worse outcomes, not better,” Lemley said. “With the potential closure of Hundred High School, we will have students left behind.”

Lemley said he believes Wetzel board members care about student learning, and there are enough resources to keep Hundred open.

“Wetzel County schools have more tax dollars today than at any point in history,” he said. “Given the availability of funds and resources in Wetzel County, educational needs and opportunities should be met for all students.

Other speakers in support of Hundred High School included Hundred Mayor Charles “Chip” Goff, local businessman Eric Yost and Long Drain teacher Courtney Dennis, among others.

Goff said the closing of Hundred High School would affect much more than the school itself.

“This proposed consolidation plan will impact our local businesses,” he said. “This school is the heartbeat of our town and has been for 102 years. … This is going to impact the value of people’s homes and people are going to be moving.”

The meeting went until late Monday and will be continued this morning.