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By Bob Weaver
Calhoun Schools, since announcing in 2014 the system is facing a $1.8 million deficit, continues to face major challenges regarding finances.
Much of the financial problem is related to the state school funding formula, with the county school enrollment dropping to just above 1,000 students.
Most of the county budget is with salary and personnel costs.
Since 1990 the county enrollment has dropped from 1,700 students to 1,066, with about 40 students being home schooled and a number of county students transferring to neighboring systems, the money problems continue to mount.
Calhoun school board president Steve Whited said the board is making significant efforts to relieve the deficit under Superintendent Tim Woodward's $1.1 million dollar deficit reduction plan.
But without a change in the funding formula and the passage of an operating levy, staffing reductions, and new funding to purchase school buses, the problem appears to be even more challenging.
In a statement to the Herald, Woodward indicated his deficit reduction plan has saved $100,000 thus far, although the newly approved 2015-16 budget indicates further cost reductions.
The $1.8 million deficit, according to state officials, was discovered in 2014, and had been building for at least four years. appeared to be a surprise to board members and county system employees, and was not publically announced by state officials, although they do annual audits.
SYSTEM FACING BIG CHALLENGES
Some of Woodward's deficit recommendations regarding school facility operations were dropped.
Woodward said Calhoun Schools in 2014 had been issued an executive order from the president of the WV Board of Education to remove supplements.
Last year, Woodward eliminated the supplements for teachers, service personnel and some administrators, supplements which were given to Calhoun employees in 1999 during better economic times.
Some teachers and service employees have expressed discontent over their $600 supplement being taken away while supplements were renewed for some administrators, questioning what Woodward's board office reorganization had to do with deficit reduction.
Woodward eliminated four individuals from their administrative jobs in the board office, creating consolidated job titles, saying that up to 1.5 positions had been eliminated under deficit reduction.
He said it saved $66,000, and that the reorganization and supplement reinstatement was to keep qualified people who have expanded job duties, with the supplements payment to restore additional work days that are needed.
The superintendent indicated earlier that some supplement pay came from state funding sources other than county funds, but according to numerous sources, that was incorrect.
Recently, Woodward recommended that supplements be restored to some newly defined county board office administrators and other administrative personnel, with some of those supplements up to $9,100.
Woodward has said they are not pay increases, except for certain individuals.
The supplement proposal was approved by a 3-2 vote by the school board.
PUBLIC INFORMATION ISSUES
Woodward, upset over the Herald's news model of written questions requiring written answers, earlier advised the Herald he is "directing my [Woodard's] office to have no further comment to you on the matter as it appears to be an intentional lack of understanding [by the Hur Herald]."
After receiving partial information, The Herald advised Woodward of intent to exercise requests under WV's Freedom of Information Act, and that a failure to provide information could resort in court action, all provided under WV Code.
Woodward responded saying, "I find your threats against the Calhoun County Board of Education and those whom they serve to be egregious. I believe you are under the mistaken belief that I will respond to unprofessional and bullying conduct. I do not."
"I do not have time or energy to play guessing games or involve myself in the negative. My energy and efforts are best served by carrying forth the mission of this board, which I am doing. That is, fiscal accountability and student achievement. Both have moved forward under the leadership of this board," Woodward said.
Annoyed by the Herald's direct questioning method, he offered a Sample Letter he would like to receive from the Herald regarding public information requests.
Woodward advised the board's attorney about the Herald's "egregious" questions and "threats."
The Herald has maintained an open policy for Woodward to release press statements regarding issues.
LOOKING AHEAD
Woodward has said renewed efforts will be made regarding the school funding formula issue, the formula based on payment for each student enrolled, a shortfall problem for rural, small enrollment counties like Calhoun.
A few years ago, it appeared that such rural systems would be funded as if they had 1,400 students, an initiative led by former Calhoun superintendent Ron Blankenship.
Since then, the 1,400 funding rule (or law) has been sliced and diced to help certain county systems, excluding Calhoun.
A critic of the current school administration, who asked their name be withheld, said, "Most administrators, teachers and personnel are working hard, doing their job, and need community support to get through this difficult time, including supporting school board members."
"No matter what positions people are taking, educating our children should be a priority," they concluded.
According to the latest OEPA audit, county schools have seen marked improvement.
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