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Upshur BOE tables funding issue

The Inter-Mountain photo by Brooke Binns Buckhannon-Upshur High School’s Sound Waves performed two pieces for attendees at the Upshur Board of Education meeting Tuesday

The Inter-Mountain photo by Brooke Binns Buckhannon-Upshur High School's Sound Waves performed two pieces for attendees at the Upshur Board of Education meeting Tuesday

BUCKHANNON — The Upshur County Board of Education voted Tuesday to table an agenda item that directly addresses the funding of the county’s West Virginia University Extension Office.

Craig Presar, the WVU Extension Service Agent for Upshur County, told the BOE that “the extension service was started a little over 100 years ago as a cooperative extension service because agencies in the county cooperate to provide the services that the extension service can provide. The County Commission, Board of Education, and WVU all cooperate to provide extended learning from West Virginia University’s campus.”

Presar said there are 10 4-H clubs in Upshur County that involve more than 200 students.

However, due to possible cuts from the state Business Manager George Carver suggested the Board vote on this particular item at a later date due to concerns regarding state funding.

“This year is a little problematic. If we get funded the way we always get funded, it will be an automatic thing, but at the moment, I would suggest pulling this and tabling it until we see where the Legislature ends up. If they cut ($750,000) to $1 million out of our budget next year, I would be hard pressed to say that we could fund this 100 percent,” Carver said.

While BOE members offered praise to the program that has been active in the county for several years, the Board voted unanimously to table the item.

Board member Katie Loudin said, “I would rather wait and see if we can get a clearer picture financially.”

“We know that what you do is good for our students,” said BOE President Dr. Tammy Semples.

Alan Suder, BOE vice president, added that the Board and county appreciates the hard work from the extension office.

During his presentation to the Board, Presar highlighted much of what the extension service is able to do with students, including a shooting sports program that has been active in the county for nine years.

When the group was first formed, 28 students were involved, and currently there are 208 taking part.

“With archery, we’re actually moving down into the elementary age group, so we’re going to be starting with fourth- and fifth-grade groups. We’re anticipating somewhere in the neighborhood for 205 youth next year,” Presar said.

Recently, in the state Archery in the Schools tournament, Upshur County earned second place in the state in the high school age group and third place in the middle school age group.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting:

• After meeting in executive session, Upshur BOE members voted to extend Superintendent Roy Wager’s contract for one year with a 2 percent salary increase.

• Upshur County honored two “Keys to Excellence,” Brittany Bennett of Buckhannon Academy Elementary School and Kyle Zickefoose of Buckhannon-Upshur High School.

These two employees were recognized for their service in the month of March.

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