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Upshur BOE to cut service, other positions

BUCKHANNON — Upshur County Board of Education leaders have begun the process of reducing personnel because of budget shortfalls.

Board members had a special meeting Wednesday to go over a proposal that would decrease professional and service personnel positions. The meeting included reduction in force/transfer hearings for employees who requested them.

Jack Reger, assistant superintendent of Upshur County Schools, said the current proposal includes a net loss of six professional positions and 17 service positions. Because of retirements or vacant positions that will not be filled, he said 13 current service employees will be affected.

The plan to reduce positions will bring the county in line with the number of employees recommended through the state aid funding formula. Reger said the county is “over” by 6.2 professional staff and 17.499 service staff positions.

Reger acknowledged this is a stressful, difficult time for everyone involved.

“A lot of the things we want to do, we’re no longer able to do,” he said, referencing steep budget cuts and reductions from the state, as well as local revenues and other funding sources. “The board’s approved our plan. As painful as it is, we will be at formula.”

He said the county was hit with a state budget cut of 1 percent in the fall, which equaled about $160,000.

Plus, he said it’s possible that more state cuts could occur, although local school officials obviously hope that’s not the case.

Reger also said Medicaid reimbursement funding to the county school system has decreased about $800,000 in the last few years.

“We have to be prudent and live within our means,” he said. “It’s hard. We know we’re affecting people’s lives.”

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