Randolph County residents will have the opportunity to decide on a $14 million excess levy call that will generate $2.8 million a year over a five-year period after the measure was unanimously approved by the Randolph County Board of Education and several groups who pledged their support on Monday.
The levy call was trimmed by $600,000 from its initial submission by Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Phares who presented details to community members during his summer forums. Phares said the levy is based on what the residents of the county want to be included.
"They (the board) responded to the grassroots movement of the Levy Committee," Phares said. "It has been an 18-month adventure to see what needed to be in the call. This (the call) came from the community. It is exactly what they wanted."
During the public comment portion of the meeting, several groups came forward in support of the levy call. The Levy Committee, known as the Say Yes For Students Committee, presented a "Say Yes For Students Resolution."
"It is time now for the citizens in Randolph County to say yes for all of our students and all our schools," the resolution states. "It is time to say yes for investing in Randolph County. A strong and getting stronger school system will be a vital asset on the continued growth of Randolph County."
The Randolph County American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the West Virginia AFT both offered the same resolution. The local AFT pledged $1,500 and the state AFT provided $500 to support the Levy Committee in its campaign.
The Randolph County Service Personnel Association and the Randolph County Principals Association both also offered resolutions in support of the levy.
"I am proud of the response the citizens of Randolph County have put forth," BOE President Lisa Wamsley told The Inter-Mountain. "This is a grassroots effort and I appreciate all the time everyone has put into the call."
According to the levy call, money per year will be spent: $600,000 in support for schools; $400,000 for art, music, library and extra curricular; $500,000 to work toward a 1-to-1 student and teacher-to-computer ratio; $300,000 for support maintenance of and training for and within the technology infrastructure; $375,000 for a preventive HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) Maintenance Plan; and $625,000 for ongoing summer repair and maintenance programs.
Under the support for schools, funds from the levy can include student supplies, instructional materials and equipment, furnishings and professional development. If the levy passes, the funding for each school per year from the $600,000 will be:
- Beverly Elementary School, $34,500
- Coalton Elementary School, $29,063
- Elkins High School, $73,169
- Elkins Middle School, $59,333
- George Ward Elementary School, $37,280
- Harman School, $31,540
- Homestead Elementary School, $28,458
- Jennings Randolph Elementary School, $36,132
- Midland Elementary School, $38,126
- North Elementary School, $36,675
- Pickens School, $23,021
- Randolph Technical Center, $39,032
- Third Ward Elementary School, $50,210
- Tygarts Valley Middle/High School, $50,210
-Valley Head Elementary School, $22,416
- For matching grants, $42,000
The art, music and extracurricular activity support will fund ArtsBank, the public libraries, art and music supplies and student academic and athletic trips.
The $400,000 per year will be spent as follows: $10,000 will be given to each public library for an annual allocation of $50,000; $6,000 per elementary school to support ArtsBank for an annual allocation of $80,000; $14,000 to support secondary art programs; $80,000 to high school music programs for assistant band directors, repair and replace allocations; $55,000 for elementary field trip support; and $135,000 for high and middle school extra curricular program support.
According to the call, the $500,000 per year for a 1-to-1 computer ratio can include hardware, software, technology supplies, system upgrades, technician support and instructional specialist support.
The $300,000 per year for support maintenance of and training for and within the technology infrastructure includes additional staff, staff development, materials and equipment.
The $375,00 for the Preventive HVAC Maintenance Plan will pay for a contract for a company to maintain the systems throughout the county.
The levy's $625,000 per year for ongoing summer repair and maintenance programs includes lawn care, painting, exterior repair and equipment replacement.
The board also passed a measure to provide a $500 stipend to school employees for vision and dental benefits.
The money will come from the local share provided to the county from the state. The initial levy called for a $200,000 allocation for vision and dental benefits but was removed.
