Attempt to Block PCHS Homecoming Costs Porter

Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Cassandra Porter has avoided a potential contempt-of-court charge for trying to block Paden City High School’s homecoming game this week, the West Virginia Record reported today.

“Contempt defendant Porter recalled her letter that violated the circuit court’s July 31, 2024, [order for] PCHS to be reopened as if it never closed,” attorney Teresa Toriseva, whose firm represents the PCHS community, told the publication. “Because Porter also repaid the plaintiffs’ costs of filing the motion for contempt, the plaintiffs agreed to withdraw the motion.”

Sources said on background that Porter paid the legal fees personally rather than getting them covered by Wetzel County Schools.

The complaint stemmed from the school system’s order that no other high schools in Wetzel County could play football on the field at PCHS because it is within a Superfund site. Hundred High School was the only other county school on the PCHS football schedule at the time.

Paul Huston II, the secondary education director and county administrator for Wetzel County Schools, issued the dictate on Aug. 14, but Porter felt the legal brunt of that decision. Toriseva’s law firm filed the contempt complaint on Aug. 19, arguing that Porter had violated a previous court ruling against her. In that case, Wetzel County Circuit Judge C. Richard Wilson overturned her closure of PCHS because of its location within the Superfund site.

Within days of the contempt filing against Porter, Huston reversed his ban on football games at PCHS. The PCHS-Hundred homecoming game is expected to be played in Paden City on Friday.

The West Virginia Record reported that Wilson said today the contempt allegations have been resolved. As a result, Toriseva Law withdrew the complaint.

By covering this legal tab herself, Porter did not add to the burden that Wetzel County taxpayers have paid for her failed attempt to close PCHS. The costs of that case are nearly $100,000 so far.

That topic is on the agenda for tonight’s school board meeting.