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Lincoln County Board approves 2025–26 tax levy, ratifies student expulsion and appoints interim member
Summary
At its April 15 meeting in Hamlin, the Lincoln County Board of Education unanimously approved the 2025–26 tax levy order, ratified the expulsion of one student under state law, appointed Carly McComas as an interim board member and approved routine financial and personnel items.
HAMLIN, W.Va. — The Lincoln County Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the 2025–26 tax levy order, ratify a student expulsion, appoint an interim board member and approve routine financial and personnel items.
Board President Jeremy Wilson opened a statutory session for the levy and called for public comment; none was offered. Dr. Sheila Burns moved to approve the 2025–26 tax levy order “as presented and approved by the State Auditor of West Virginia in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 11, Article 8 of the West Virginia Code as amended,” and Vice President Cartwright seconded. The board voted 4–0 to approve the levy.
The levy funds board operations and local school services; the board’s action formalizes the tax rate and follows the state auditor’s approval, as stated during the statutory portion of the meeting.
Votes at a glance
- 2025–26 tax levy order — Motion: approve levy order as presented and approved by State Auditor; Mover: Dr. Sheila Burns; Second: Vice President Cartwright; Vote: 4–0; Outcome: approved.
- Approval of minutes (previous meeting) — Mover: Vice President Cartwright; Second: Dr. Sheila Burns; Vote: 4–0; Outcome: approved.
- Consent agenda (items a–j) — Mover: Robert Mosteller; Second: Vice President Cartwright; Vote: 4–0; Outcome: approved.
- Authorized payment of bills / routine finance approvals — Mover: Vice President Cartwright; Second: Robert Mosteller; Vote: 4–0; Outcome: approved.
- Financial statements for February 2025 — Mover: Dr. Sheila Burns; Second: Robert Mosteller; Vote: 4–0; Outcome: approved.
- Personnel (blue sheets) — Mover: Vice President Cartwright; Second: Robert Mosteller; Vote: 4–0; Outcome: approved.
- Student expulsion — Motion (superintendent recommendation): “43 73, student A shall be expelled from Lincoln County Schools” consistent with cited state law and department policy; Mover: Vice President Cartwright; Second: Robert Mosteller; Vote: 4–0; Outcome: ratified.
- Appointment of interim board member Carly McComas — Mover: Dr. Sheila Burns; Second: Vice President Cartwright; Vote: 4–0; Outcome: approved.
Student discipline and appointment details
After an executive session for student discipline, the board returned to open session and the superintendent recommended expulsion under cited West Virginia law and Department of Education policy; the board then voted 4–0 to ratify the expulsion. The superintendent publicly identified the disciplinary action in the meeting as: “43 73, student A shall be expelled from Lincoln County Schools.”
On the interim board appointment, members said the board received four letters of intent; one came from District 2 and was ineligible. Board members reviewed the remaining three and voted to appoint Carly McComas. The board directed that McComas attend a state orientation on April 21 at 8 a.m. with Mr. Brown at the state department; board members noted the initial orientation does not count toward ongoing training-hour requirements.
Process and next steps
Board President Jeremy Wilson handled each vote by roll call and solicitation of “Aye” responses from members; each listed action in this meeting passed unanimously, 4–0. The board set its next regular meeting for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the county table in Hamlin.
Ending
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
