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By Bob Weaver
Calhoun Schools was one of five state county systems targeted by the West Virginia Board of Education during a February, 2013 meeting as having major budget deficits.
Following comments made by state board member Lloyd Jackson, state media asked is school takeovers are coming since the fiscally fraught counties are in the state board's sights, although the board indicated a new policy not to take-over county school systems.
Calhoun Superintendent of Schools Roger Propst said, "Since the State Board has approved our Corrective Action Plan, and our deficit is not as much as previously reported, I am not of the opinion that type of action is planned."
Propst said following a review of the budget, it was discovered that the shortfall was actually $348,161, not the $558,000 deficit reported to State Board.
Propst said Daniel Minney has been employed as financial administrator of the local system, with Minney having 16 years experience in the accounting field, the last five of which have been in the West Virginia State Auditor's Office.
He said the deficit is a combination of 2011 and 2012, indicating some accounting errors.
"Mr. Minney and I have been reviewing the current year budget line by line to ensure its accuracy, and are now beginning to build the 2013-14 budget," Propst said.
The loss in enrollment of 54 students resulted in Calhoun County needing to reduce professional staff by 3.78 positions for the 2013-14 school year.
This reduction has been achieved by not filling two vacancies created by retirements, and one 5th grade position not needed for 2013-14 because of fewer students at CM/HS.
An additional 1/2 time professional position at Pleasant Hill Elementary has been reduced by the RIF process. The remaining portion of a position will be funded by a grant, Propst said.
"We have been working closely with the WVDE Office of School Finance in seeking technical assistance after the resignation of our chief school business official, and in getting our financial records corrected," Propst said.
See original story STATE BOARD TARGETS CALHOUN SCHOOLS OVER CRITICAL BUDGET DEFICIT - State System Takeovers Coming? State Says Calhoun Half-Million In Red
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