Ohio County School Superintendent Kim Miller takes to the podium during Monday’s board of education meeting to speak about school funding in West Virginia. (Photo by Joselyn King)

WHEELING – Ohio County Schools Superintendent Kim Miller provided research to board of education members Monday night suggesting West Virginia should fund its school based on student needs rather than a “head count.”

According to 2025 data from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, West Virginia allocates $14,575 per year per student to school districts as determined by enrollment.

This is nearly $2,000 less than the national average, the research center reports. West Virginia ranks 32nd among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. in the amount of its school funding.

At Monday’s meeting, Miller reported she was among a group of school superintendents called to Charleston in December to meet with legislators about the state’s school funding formula.

Researchers from the Research And Development (RAND) Corporation were there and presented a report on how West Virginia should improve its school aid formula.

The main focus of the report was equity, and whether financial resources were being allocated properly when students with higher needs were considered. RAND said resources should be targeted to students who need them most, according to Miller.

RAND found West Virginia’s school funding formula doesn’t account for the high cost of educating students.

In addition to enrollment, RAND suggested funding to school districts should take into account the number of its students who live in rural areas, the number who live in poverty, the number who receive free or reduced lunches, local revenue capacity, the number of students who have disabilities or special needs and the number of students who are non-English learners.

Miller reported that Ohio County Schools presently has 4,582 students. Of this number, 2,584 are considered to be “economically disadvantaged.”

There are 875 students in the school district considered to have special needs, and 21 who are non-English learners.

Ohio County Schools also spends more to assure all students have greater educational opportunities, Miller noted.

While West Virginia code requires public high schools in the state to offer at least four Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes, Wheeling Park High School offers more than 20, according to Miller.

“We are a comprehensive high school,” she continued. “We do not have to transport our students or send them to other places. They receive all their services at WPHS.”

WPHS also offers 23 advanced placement courses and five “College At Park” classes.

“So when people talk about the (spending) formula, the formula is what is driving the programs we offer,” Miller said. “We’ve looked at classes and programs, and we want to protect those things that are important.

“We want to provide the right resources – the best resources for our special needs population, as well as our low-income population.”

Ohio County Schools total budget is about $90 million this year.

Board President David Croft said Ohio County Schools is blessed to have excess levies that help to fund extra programs. There is becoming a wide gap in the state between the haves and the have-nots, he noted.

“Is there any movement to correct this, or is it all about social issues in Charleston?” Croft asked.

Board member Andy Garber is the member who follows the legislature and he reported that “it doesn’t seem they are delving very deeply into this topic.”

“The shame of it is the legislature is stuck on social issues and things that are in my opinion not as relevant,” Garber said. “I look at it as very superficial.”

The board plans to contact State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, and Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, for their help and input on the issue.

The board also approved a number of personnel matters Monday night.

Triadelphia Middle School Vice Principal Chalmer Moffett was named the new principal at Woodsdale Elementary School effective immediately. He will succeed Ashlea Minch, who has taken over as federal programs director for the school district.

Director of Student Services Raquel McLeod is being moved within the central office to a position that will have her as attendance director/ homeless liaison, Title III director, school of choice oversight director and central office administrator.

Also, Ritchie Elementary School Principal Amy Ritz was recognized for having obtained her doctoral degree.

The board will next meet at 6 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the central office, 2203 National Road, Elm Grove.