PADEN CITY — The West Virginia Department of Education is asking Wetzel County Schools about Paden City, which sits on environmentally compromised land.
The Wetzel School Board held a special meeting on April 3 after Superintendent Kathy Porter received a letter from WVDE raising questions about Paden City High School.
In a letter, WVDE expressed concern that it was informed that Paden City High School is located directly above a site that has been designated as a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is on the National Priorities List. .
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly known as Superfund, was passed by Congress in December 1980. This law created, among other things, a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries to identify and address sites that are the source of pollutant emissions. Hazardous substances to the environment have occurred or may occur.
WVDE's letter also raised questions about the safety of the Paden City site, potential threats surrounding its Superfund designation and the impact on Paden students and employees.
The letter states that a Jan. 31 Toxic Substances and Disease Registration and Health Counseling Agency report provides insight into the state of the soil at the Superfund site, and more specifically on the ground below Paden City High School. It is stated that. ATSDR has issued multiple advisories and warnings. These precautions include the fact that the vapor exposure pathway from the source of contamination through groundwater and subsoil to the indoor air of structures above or near the contaminated area is not eliminated.
The ATSDR report states that vapor intrusion indoor air concentrations fluctuate due to seasonal weather changes. Also of concern is the report's finding that structural changes to building slabs and foundations may increase vapor intrusion. According to the report, climate-controlled facilities such as Paden City High School typically keep windows and doors closed at all times. This lack of ventilation can result in higher levels of vapor intrusion, requiring additional monitoring or vapor mitigation systems.
The EPA notes that significant weather changes, such as droughts and floods, can lead to changes in vapor intrusion levels.
WVDE's letter also cited concerns that water quality at Paden High School is below acceptable levels due to recent failures in the Paden Municipal Water Project. It also noted the ongoing investigation by the Public Service Commission into Paden City's water supply project.
WVDE is seeking answers to these questions, as well as whether counties are aware of what needs to be done to mitigate Superfund sites and their impact on school operations, and whether Superfund sites are closed. They are also seeking answers as to whether Paden City High School will be able to continue operating during this period. Whether the contaminants will be removed or the school will be forced to relocate.
Districts are being asked whether there are other schools within the district that could accommodate PCHS staff and students and, if so, whether an analysis of the time and financial costs of accomplishing this has been conducted. Another question posed to the district is how such a move would impact the services and opportunities provided to students at her PCHS or host school.
WVDE said in the letter that while continuity of service is essential to providing a thorough and efficient education for students, two of the district's most important functions are mitigating the loss of instructional time; He said the important thing is to provide a healthy and safe learning environment for students. Next, the district must either take proactive and planned action to move students and staff to another location, or take the potentially ill-timed option of moving only the students if the competent authorities require PCHS to be evicted. They were asked whether they had completed an analysis regarding their choice between certain actions. .
The district was given seven days to respond, according to the letter. Ms Porter said she would be meeting with staff to gather information that needed to be submitted. Two education commissioners will serve on the committee.