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Wetzel County outlines K–5 alternative‑education room at New Martinsville School under Senate Bill 199
Summary
In response to Senate Bill 199, district leaders described a new K–5 alternative‑education room at New Martinsville School that will provide tailored instruction and supports (speech, behavior modification, core curriculum); staffing and intake/exit procedures were emphasized to avoid a revolving‑door placement.
Wetzel County Schools leaders presented a plan to house a county‑level K–5 alternative‑education room at New Martinsville School to meet requirements under Senate Bill 199 and to provide rehabilitative services rather than punishment.
An agency official described the program as an opportunity for students who need more individualized support: “We don't want this to be taking them out of the classroom as a punishment … we want the kids to have a chance to learn how to behave better and still get the education that they're supposed to get,” the official said. District staff said services provided in the Alt Ed room will include speech therapy, behavior modification, and core academic instruction tailored to each child.
District staff said the room will be staffed to meet special‑education ratios, typically by two adults when required; the stated goal is to limit group size (an operational upper target of eight students was discussed) and to provide intake and exit processes so students return to their regular classrooms when ready. Transportation will be coordinated through central collection at the tech center with a shuttle to New Martinsville School; lunch and breakfast will be eaten in the Alt Ed room with meals delivered when needed.
Officials noted the district already uses a virtual option for certain students and that the state Department of Education’s virtual‑placement guidance is part of the planning. A staff member said pilot intake/exit procedures reviewed by the team emphasize structured, short instructional blocks and a refreshed reintroduction to classroom routines to avoid revolving placements.
Next steps: the administration will finalize staffing postings and bring detailed implementation steps (staffing hires, schedules and intake/exit criteria) to the board. The board agreed the program should be supportive, student‑centered, and compliant with special‑education legal requirements.
