(File Photo/Shelley Hanson) Marshall County Board of Education members congratulate students on their achievements during a recent board meeting. The board recently approved keeping its current excess tax levy rate at 82% for fiscal 2027.

MOUNDSVILLE – The Marshall County Board of Education recently approved keeping its current excess tax levy rate at 82% for fiscal year 2027.

The rate still must be approved by the West Virginia Tax Commission and West Virginia Board of Education. The local board will then give it final approval at a later date.

Treasurer Nan Hartley said the district’s rate is still among the lowest in the state and has been kept the same for about three years.

“So pretty much we’re staying where we were last year,” Hartley told board members. “We’re not increasing or decreasing the percentage and we’re staying pretty positive in what we’re seeing for next year.”

Hartley said Tuesday that the excess tax levy generates about $47.3 million, or nearly half, of the district’s budget.

“We appreciate our taxpayers and the extra support we can give our students in every area we can imagine,” Hartley said.

Hartley added that property values in Marshall County, which totaled about $6.955 billion, decreased by about $10 million this year, resulting in about $120,000 less for the school district. She noted, however, that the district has carryover funds invested by the state that it can use to recoup that loss.

The excess levy also provides funding for the county’s library system, health department and 4-H programs.

During a recent board meeting, Superintendent Shelby Haines talked about the district’s declining enrollment, something that 50 out of 55 counties in the state are experiencing. Each year at this time the district goes through its reduction in force and hiring process. The number of teachers and aides is based on the number of students. The district is permitted to add employees throughout the year, but can only do RIFs before a new school year begins.

“I would like to point out in 2010 the excess levy was at 98%. In 2019, we paid off the bond, which is an entire tax line item, and currently we’re looking at 82%,” Haines said. “So there has been a significant drop over a period of time as well as paying off a bond early.”

Another levy, known as the current or school levy, is controlled by the state and generates about $45.7 million for the district, Hartley added.