Calhoun school board president Steve Whited (left) has explained why voters should approve the special school levy on the May 13 ballot.
See CALHOUN SCHOOLS OPERATING LEVY WILL BE ON MAY 13 BALLOT
Whited says the money would go to continue a number of services that many citizens take for-granted and support not only operating facilities, but providing educational programs.
He says there are nine rural counties that are affected by having under 1,400 enrollment in the state's funding formula. This is equivalent to over $700,000 annually for the school budget, Whited said.
Calhoun is one of 11 counties that does not have an excess levy to support education.
Whited said this would be the smallest amount school levy, if it passes, of any excess levy in the Mountain State.
A second forum to explain the levy will be held at Pleasant Hill Elementary School on April 29 at 6:30 p.m.
PURPOSE
Provide funds for transportation for extracurricular programs including but not limited to, sports, band, choir.
Provide funds for supplies, textbooks, other curriculum costs.>br>
Provide funds for repair and maintenance of all schools.
Provide funds for custodial supplies.
Provide funds for Professional development.
Provide funds for maintenance contract on equipment.
The excess levy will allow for extracurricular activities to continue without impeding/infringing upon the funds we utilize for curriculum and instruction.
The excess levy will assist the BOE in being able to continue to provide supplements to staff, coaches, directors that we would otherwise not be able to.
The excess levy will assist the BOE in being able to upgrade existing equipment and purchase new equipment to improve quality and efficiency. This should include technology equipment for instruction, school safety and necessary communications.
WHY IT IS NEEDED
First and foremost, it needs to be understood how BOE's are allocated operating money/funds from the State. This is based upon the number of students who are enrolled in your system.
Essentially the number of students is multiplied by a rate and that is what your State School Aid Formula is. However, several years ago, WV legislatures along with the Department of Education realized that due to all the State requirements, there comes a point in this formula that school systems are not able to perform due to the facts of economy of scales.
It was determined that a school system must be funded at a minimum of 1,400 students to be able to operate and provide all required services.
This did happen for a few years, but however this did not continue. There are many factors involved, but essentially Calhoun County is underfunded by the State School Aid Formula.
This has been openly admitted to by Department of Education staff, but unfortunately there is no resolution. There is about 9 Counties that are affected by this under 1,400 enrollment formula. This is equivalent to over $700,000 annually for Calhoun County.
Our ever decreasing enrollment, compounds the reimbursement as well. Again, we are required to maintain certain levels of staffing, and even though there are fewer students to serve, not all students leave from the same grade, so there is rarely the ability to eliminate positions, as the requirements are still at certain levels.
We must continue to try and fill gaps, look at unique opportunities and ways to save money, but we do not want to do this at the expense of our children not receiving the best all-around educational experience. This experience includes extracurricular activities and opportunities.
I know many have asked how you can get into such a situation of not knowing what position you are in.
Well, we're here, and we are forging through this situation, but we will not climb out overnight, nor can we climb out alone.
Regardless of the current deficit, we are and will continue to make difficult decisions, and some may result in changes being made to current processes.
IF APPROVED
If approved the levy would produce a little over $600,000. The estimated levy funds are based upon assessed values of taxable property.
Currently there are 11 Counties that do not have excess levies. Calhoun County is considered as having an excess levy, but this only encompasses the current library levy.
The proposed levy, if passed, would be the lowest of all school excess levies in WV.
Revenue from an excess levy would stay in the Calhoun County and be used to fill budgetary needs in academics, the arts , band, athletics, facilities and supplies.
IF NOT APPROVED
Continued budget cuts, possibly affecting extracurricular activities, staff supplements and facility usage.
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