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Cabell County Schools outlines multi-year plan after enrollment decline, plans personnel actions in April
Summary
District leaders told the school board that enrollment has fallen about 2,000 students since a 2014-15 peak and that federal ARP funding ended, creating a $12–$14 million annual shortfall that will require using reserves and staged staffing adjustments; a special personnel meeting is proposed for April 21 to act on transfers and reductions.
An unnamed Cabell County Schools staff presenter told the board that enrollment has fallen roughly 2,000 students since the 2014–15 peak of 13,221 and that the end of one-time federal ARP funding has left the district running a multi‑million dollar annual gap.
The presenter said the district employed 997 professional staff in 2024–25 while the state funding formula allowed 864, leaving the district “above formula” because positions hired with ARP funds continued on payroll this year. The presenter said the district expects to use some reserves next year and aims to reach required carryover levels within three years.
The decline in enrollment — described as roughly 200–250 students per year since the peak — reduces state aid and has driven a funding shortfall the presenter put at roughly $12 million to $14 million per year, larger than the $2 million annual impact of restoring parks and library funding the board previously returned to those agencies.
Why it matters: State aid to public schools in West Virginia is tied to enrollment; the district’s excess staffing relative to the funding formula is partially a legacy of one‑time federal funds. District leaders said they will present a formal plan to the board addressing transfers and reductions that could affect employees.
Key details and next steps
- The presenter said the district must maintain about 16.6% carryover (approximately $27,000,000) to cover two months of operating expenses and preserve payroll continuity. - The district will begin delivering notices to impacted employees this week; staff and union representatives have already met with district leaders to explain the process. - The presenter requested a special personnel board meeting on Monday, April 21 at 4:30 p.m. to consider transfers, reduction in force actions and contract renewals; the presenter warned that hearings by employees could extend the session into a second day. - The presenter reiterated that personnel decisions are being made at the position level rather than targeting individuals: “It’s not about an individual or the job they’re doing. It’s just at the end of the day, we have to be able to pay our employees.”
Discussion and context
Board members and staff discussed the timing of notices and the district’s communications to employees. The presenter said many affected classroom teachers have been offered voluntary transfers into newly required third‑grade positions under House Bill 3035; some teachers declined and opted to pursue county transfer procedures. The presenter said the district met with representatives from AFT and WVEA to answer employees’ questions.
The presenter described long‑term facilities and maintenance costs — for example, HVAC replacements — as items the district must plan for as it reduces recurring operating costs. The presenter said the April presentation will include a plan to use a portion of reserves while phasing staff adjustments over three years to reach funding formula targets.
Ending
The board did not take a formal vote on personnel actions at this meeting; the presenter asked that the April personnel meeting be dedicated to personnel items only so employees and the board could focus on transfers and hearings.
