Monongalia County Schools warn $4.2M property-tax shortfall, report widespread special-education and aide vacancies

Monongalia County Schools officials told state legislators during a Sept. 23 legislative meeting that the district faces a roughly $4.2 million reduction in local property-tax revenue and is already feeling the effects in staffing and programs.

The superintendent said the district "serve[s] a little over 11,100 students" across 18 schools and nearly 1,600 staff, and that the board recently "had to go cut 10 people" to align personnel with budget realities. The shortfall, the superintendent said, stems largely from declining natural-resource valuations and creates difficulties because the district must set budgets on a timeline that does not always align with state revenue updates.

The warning came as several lawmakers attended the meeting—Sen. Mike Oliverio and Delegates Joe Statler, David McCormick, Evan Hansen, Mike DeVault and Gino Shrelli—and discussed statewide education policy and funding.

Why it matters: Monongalia County officials said about $35 million of the district’s roughly $200 million annual budget comes from an excess levy—about 20 percent of operating revenue—making local property-valuation declines especially consequential. The superintendent told legislators that, because levy revenue can swing with property valuations, the district must make difficult personnel decisions and may face pressure to reduce support positions such as nurses, psychologists and other staff who handle student medical or mental-health needs.

Staffing shortages and program risks

District leaders described persistent vacancies that they said are already affecting services. The superintendent reported 13 unfilled…