Monongalia County Board approves proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget; public hearing set for May 27

MONONGALIA COUNTY, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Board of Education voted May 13 to approve and publish its proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set a public hearing for May 27 before final adoption.

The treasurer presented the budget proposal and detailed revenue and expenditure changes the board will consider at the public hearing and when it adopts the budget at a later meeting.

The budget presentation said local tax revenue is projected to fall by more than $8 million after a drop in valuation for oil and gas. The district expects an increase in basic state aid — described in the presentation as about $4.6 million — that was tied in part to third‑grade funding under the state’s Third Grade Success Act. The presentation also reported a $961,828 increase in charter‑school allocations and a 14% increase in PIA-related costs used to project personnel benefits costs.

The treasurer told the board the district plans to hire 34 additional third‑grade aides and highlighted that the district would continue to offer all students free meals next year. The treasurer also outlined capital projects in the permanent improvement fund, including a Mountain View safe‑school entrance, STEM expansion, a Suncrest Middle School project, a Mountainview High School cafeteria upgrade, a Westwood Middle School turf project and a sewer upgrade at MHS. The permanent improvement fund figure shown in the presentation was $25,283,270, with a School Building Authority allocation of $7.1 million and reserves of roughly $18 million.

Officials said the district maintains four funds: the general operating fund (state sources and levy proceeds), a special revenue fund for restricted state and federal grants (presented at $21,576,761), the permanent improvement fund and the debt service fund (revenues roughly $3 million and property tax revenue shown as about $2.9 million). The treasurer said roughly 52% of general fund revenue comes from state sources, with regular levy at about 21% and excess levy at about 20%.

Board members discussed that Monongalia County has the highest charter school enrollment in the state, a factor the treasurer said reduces the county’s available budget more than in other counties. The treasurer also noted payroll and benefits account for the largest share of expenditures.

Superintendent recommendation and a motion to approve the proposed budget as presented were made, the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor by voice vote. The motion carried.

Board members said the proposed budget will be posted publicly, the board will hold the May 27 public hearing and will later return to adopt the budget.

Additional details in the presentation: percentage breakdowns for expenditures (instruction approximately 54.23% of general fund spending; operations and maintenance 10.45%; student transportation 8.73%); for special revenue fund expenses, instruction about 48.1% and food service about 38.6%; and for the permanent improvement fund, a list of priority capital projects. The presentation also noted the district is monitoring summer program funding and enrollment trends that affect state aid and that the district’s excess levy is scheduled for renewal in May 2026.

The board did not adopt the budget at the May 13 meeting; the vote approved the proposed budget to be published and moved forward to the scheduled public hearing and final adoption process.