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By Bob Weaver
 A major reorganization of the Calhoun Schools board office administration linked to Superintendent Tim Woodward's (left) $1.1 million deficit reduction plan was announced to save between $55,000 and $65,000.
According to a policy placed for comment on the board's web site, some administrators would be getting a pay increase of up to $9,100 under a supplemental pay proposal.
While two eliminated administrators were eligible to apply for other positions in the system, at least one lost their job. Two of them have issued grievances with the state grievance board.
Some administrators in the central office and other school administrators would be getting pay raises.
"So that may be a personal raise for them, it is less money for the county to pay," Woodward said, indicating the raises are paid with state funds, a statement that some officials are disputing, saying at least part of the costs could come out of county funds.
Woodward declined to respond to a public information request to define how many administrators are getting a pay raise, the actual amount they would be receiving, and to further clarify that the raises would not be paid out of county funds.
The board's policy on their web site indicates some general information regarding proposed increases.
Chief administrative officers $9,100; treasurer/assistant to superintendent $9,100; High school principal $5,700; assistant principal $2,000; assistant principal/athletic director $4,500; elementary principal $2,000; school psychologist $1,500.
It was not clear how many are involved in receiving the proposed pay increases.
The proposed increases come after state education officials told Calhoun Schools to no longer pay a $600 pay supplement issued to teachers and service personnel a few years ago under better economic times.
About 40 service personnel filed a grievance with the state and had their $600 supplement restored for one year following a grievance boards decision. The teachers apparently did not grieve the reduction.
Board president Steve Whited said, "The reorganization does reduce total positions, but with that, more responsibility is placed on those positions resulting from reorganization."
"Mr. Woodward stated that although there is a savings, yes some individuals may receive more pay, it is based on state and local policies," Whited said.
Current Calhoun Middle-High School principal Kelli Whytsell is reportedly being hired in a newly created position by Woodward, that of Assistant Superintendent.
Superintendent Woodyard has been challenged to reduce a $1.8 million dollar deficit that surfaced in 2014 after reportedly building for about four years.
There has been little explanation for the problem.
Most school members were surprised by the revelation of the deficit, indicating lack of knowledge.
Furthermore, the WV Department of Education, who audits the annual budgets did not sound the alarm bell over the years, or if they did, it was not made public.
School systems and county commissions, under constitutional law, are required to keep annual budgets with 3% of spending.
Woodward's deficit proposal in December, 2014, outlining a $1.1 million reduction plan over several years, coming after Calhoun voters turned down an operating levy twice.
So far, some of Woodward's deficit reduction plans have been met with significant opposition, including a hefty hourly fee to use school facilities after hours by sports groups. That policy was changed.
The state's mandate to eliminate a $600 annual pay supplement resulted in a large number of service employees having it reinstated after filing a grievance, although it is only for the past year.
Calhoun schools budget is $11,468,000 (state, federal and county funds) with a student enrollment of 1,071 or a cost of $10,707 per student annually. The County County Commission budget is about $2,200,000.
Thirty-five students are being home schooled.
Calhoun Schools is among about a dozen WV counties that does not have a levy to support school operations, and with a declining student enrollment is facing major financial challenges.
Read OVER 40 CALHOUN SCHOOL'S SERVICE EMPLOYEES WILL GET $600 SUPPLEMENT AFTER GRIEVANCE DECISION
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