“The board had asked to have this so we could continue to update folks,” Dilly said, adding that he would soon be distributing an article and a survey to inform the public. “I will also be sharing that with all of our staff, that way we will have some information and guidance hopefully at a near meeting to see what some of the initial feedback and final feedback is related to recommendations for a bond or a levy. That way we can have some pretty broad input from our community and folks. And we do have some individuals who have reached out requesting to try and help support some of the initiatives and efforts.”

Dilly said some people have shared what they feel might work when it comes to a bond or levy.

“If we are thinking of a bond, we definitely want to talk about technology and supporting our one-to-one initiatives and supporting that, because we kind of had to pause that during our financial concerns,” Dilly said. “As we know, technology doesn’t last forever and it has to continue to be maintained. So those are some elements that we want to think about.”

Dilly asked the board to share any thoughts or considerations they had on a bond or levy.

Randolph County Board of Education members Dr. Phil Chua, left, and Sherri Collett listen in during Tuesday’s BOE meeting.

BOE member Dr. Phil Chua said, “I really like the idea of getting public input on the palatability of bond versus levy. Certainly I really don’t know if there is a circumstance where we would be trying to get both, realistically. I do really like the idea of getting the public’s input on it, seeing where they are on it.”

Dilly replied, “For me, this is the first step to start gathering information and we have to refine what we want it to look like in the end, whether it’s a bond or a levy. So I think this will be a good first step in refining this board’s final decisions on what we want to put together… At this early stage, it’s just to get a much more broad spectrum of what people are willing to support.”

BOE member Sherri Collett asked Dilly if the technology idea and the one-to-one initiative would be included in a bond.

Dilly said, “That would be more of a levy. Bond is for building, so if we were to look at a levy, that would be one of the things we should strongly consider supporting… I think those are just two of the bigger pieces of the puzzle as we go forward, but there may be things like PRO officers, school nurses, and social workers that would fall into an excess levy. And those are things I think people might be palatable to support as we go forward.”

Collett said, “Bond meaning building, does that include maintenance of our current buildings as well?” 

“It could be HVAC, or roof replacements, and we know Elkins High School needs the blocks resealed outside and cleaning and things like that,” Dilly said. “They are wanting new lockers and things like that could be considered in that bond.”

BOE President Rachel Anger, who did not attend in person but took part in the meeting by phone, said, “I could definitely use both, but I think picking one and really focusing on one is something the public is most willing to support.”

The board, as in previous meetings, discussed running the bond or levy during the 2026 election. Collett asked, “What kind of timeline are we looking at, because it’s been noted that we are looking at the November election.”

“You’re looking at 90 days, you have to make your determination prior to that (the election),” Randolph County Schools Treasurer Brad Smith replied. “I think any time we have done one in November, the latest that the Board decided what they were going to do was July.”

Later in the meeting, Dilly discussed how people can take a survey on the potential bond and levy proposals.

“I’m going to have it out on the website where it will take you directly to the survey without any problems,” Dilly said. “Folks can actually use the link or the actual QR code.

“I know a lot of people will choose the QR code nowadays. We are looking at Feb. 13 as a deadline, about a month and a half to get a lot of input.”

The survey link or QR code can be found on the Randolph County Schools webpage at boe.rand.k12.wv.us. The next regular BOE meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m.