| By Tim Woodward, Calhoun Superintendent Of Schools
The citizens of Calhoun County will have the opportunity to cast their ballot on Tuesday, November 4, to provide a better future for the children of our county.
Some counties such as Roane County, plan to use the funding to offer additional services, including free breakfast and lunch, an after-school activity bus and dental and optical benefits for all employees.
Calhoun County will use levy dollars to maintain consistency and avoid cutting staff and programs. We need it to continue our high standards in preparing children who are college and career ready.
Our informational fliers and recent public meeting focused on all the things the levy money can do for the school system during the next five years: preserve the free lunch and breakfast program, continue funding for 4-H and the West Virginia University Extension Service and provide extra-curricular bus transportation. It also can be used to restore funding for professional development and restore supplemental pay for our employees.
When the levy failed this past May, some things simply had to be removed to ensure the budget deficit did not continue to grow.
Sadly, if this levy does not pass on November 4, our Board will have to make some even tougher decisions.
Think of it this way: If your household experienced budgetary problems, you would have to make cuts.
We need to be held accountable for the past, and transparency has been the goal of my administration from day one.
At this point, however, the one thing we can do about the past is learn from it and develop a plan for the future.
We believe in this school system.
We believe in the students, parents and the citizens of the Calhoun community.
Our belief in the community prevents us from finding jobs in the counties that have more financial resources and have community supported levies.
We are here because this is our home.
These are our children.
This is about their future---about our future.
We need you to be a part of it.
I know some of you are asking questions about the budget deficit and how we are still keeping the lights on and the schools open. It is hard to explain which is why we would be happy to come and talk with your organization, group or community.
At this time, we simply ask that you be informed about the excess levy, then exercise your right to vote.
If you have any questions, please call my office at (304) 354-7011, ext. 17.
Remember, the school system cannot be successful without the community and the community cannot be successful without the school system.
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