photo by: Joselyn King

Ohio County Board of Education member Erik Schramm listens to comments during Monday’s board meeting.

WHEELING – Ohio County Schools is expecting a budget of $80 million for the next school year, and its board of education is also planning to keep current excess levy levels where they are.

The board agreed Monday night to keep the levy rate at 95.5% of what they may legally tax under law.

Steven Bieniek, business manager for Ohio County Schools, presented the total assessed values of property in the county as certified by County Assessor Tiffany Hoffman at $3,633,600,597. That represents an increase of $284 million over last year’s figures, according to Bieniek.

“When compared with the current year, these values would produce gross revenue based on estimated tax collections of $2.3 million more than the current year,” he told board members.

Bieniek initially thought the higher collections would result in Ohio County Schools losing about $2 million in state aid next year. But after receiving more information from the State Department of Education he believes the school district will actually regain $1.5 million more from the state for 2024-2025.

The state is providing additional dollars to provide additional service personnel through the “Third Grade Success Act” passed last year by the West Virginia Legislature. In Ohio County, there will be 16 additional service personnel positions added, with the possibility of one professional position, according to Superintendent Kim Miller.

Also included in the extra funding is money to cover a 5% raise for staff.

If the board were to amend the levy rate up or down, each change in percentage point would equal an increase or decrease of about $276,000 for the school district, Bieniek said.

He expects next year’s budget for Ohio County Schools to be about $80 million.

The excess levy last approved by voters in November 2019 authorizes the board to raise the excess levy to 100% of what is allowed by law, maintain it at its current rate, or to reduce the rate.

“Because of the reasons listed, the administration is recommending the rates stay the same as the current rate at 95.5% of the maximum rate allowed,” Bieniek said.

The board unanimously accepted the recommendation.

The meeting to discuss the levy was recessed Monday night, and is scheduled to resume at 8 a.m. on April 16 at the board office. Board members will take a vote on the levy rate at that time.