Wetzel County Schools hears public opposition to immediate rebranding; renaming motions receive no motion

More than a dozen residents, teachers and parent volunteers urged caution Tuesday as the Wetzel County Schools board considered whether to push ahead with an immediate rebranding of county high schools ahead of a planned consolidation.

Holly Kane introduced a presentation on behalf of staff and coaches and cited three primary concerns with the district's online rebranding survey, quoting presenter Eric Picarski's point that "If we're talking about immediate rebranding, we think it needs to be done right." Picarski and Casey Sap argued the poll showed "unreleased results, no authentication, removed results, and loaded questions," and asked the district to publish full results and use concept mock-ups before a final vote.

Other public speakers raised related points. Jeff Montgomery, speaking for Magnolia alumni, suggested older school buildings be considered for alumni centers or emergency shelters rather than discarded. "Why not keep them as alumni centers?" he asked. Brian Price, representing Payton City band patrons, said the community has invested heavily in uniforms and instruments and pressed the board to clarify whether items bought by patrons could be retained or officially declared surplus.

Multiple speakers warned about cost and timing. Steve Palisco opposed immediate rebranding on fiscal grounds, arguing it would increase the board's workload while a consolidated-school build proceeds. Les Forney said a partial or "skin" rebrand would leave many visible artifacts of the old schools (gym floors, murals, FFA jackets) and cited survey totals he had: 657 respondents favored waiting, 223 favored full rebranding and 64 favored a partial rebrand.

Superintendent Porter presented the district's student-response breakdown from the online portal, saying roughly three out of four students at each high school who reported themselves as students chose to wait until a consolidated building is open; she acknowledged imperfections in the survey but said it provided "useful information" for next steps.

Board members discussed timing and fiscal responsibility and repeatedly returned to the student-preference numbers and the limited time available before the next school year. At the point of formal action the agenda listed two routine matters seeking approval to rename and rebrand Magnolia High School and Valley High School to new Wetzel West and Wetzel East identities, with a "Black Bears" mascot and gray/orange/black/white color palette. The chair asked for motions on those items but "there is no motion" in each case and both items failed for lack of a motion.

The board did not take further immediate action on rebranding; several members suggested forming a representative committee to develop multiple mascot-and-color concepts and then letting students vote on final options when timing permits. The board set its next regular meeting for April 15 at 6 p.m. at the county office.

Why it matters: Rebranding decisions carry direct costs for uniforms, signage and fixtures and affect current students' sense of continuity during consolidation. Residents, coaches and volunteer groups told the board they want clear rules about who votes on branding and transparent handling of community-owned equipment.

What's next: The board left the item without a formal vote to rename either school and signaled a preference among several trustees to delay a full rebrand until planning for the consolidated school advances.