Ohio County BOE urges state to stabilize PEIA in unanimous resolution

The Ohio County Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution Nov. 25 urging the state to stabilize the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) amid rising health‑care and drug costs that board members and a county education‑association representative said are straining public employees and retirees.

The resolution, which the board president read aloud and put to a voice vote, calls on the West Virginia Legislature and the governor to take actions "to the extent permitted by applicable West Virginia law" to ensure PEIA remains sustainable and affordable for public employees and educators. The board approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

At the meeting, a representative who identified himself as Mr. Trevagon and said he was speaking for the (as stated in the record) Baha'i County Education Association urged flexibility in statutory language that currently provides for an 80/20 state‑employee funding split. "We're asking for more flexibility so that, no less than 80% from the state and no more than 20% from the employee," he said, arguing that the change would allow the state to use budget surplus funds to stabilize PEIA.

Board members cited a reported PEIA funding gap and said they wanted to send a unified message to state lawmakers about the program's importance for recruiting and retaining school staff. The resolution text recites the board's view that a funded and sustainable PEIA is essential for attracting qualified educators and that instability could reduce take‑home pay for public employees.

The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution without roll‑call vote; the president stated the motion "passes" after the voice vote.

The board did not specify who moved or seconded the resolution on the record, and no roll‑call tally was entered in the meeting transcript. The resolution references a West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals formulation about the legislature's obligation to provide "a thorough and efficient system of free schools," cited in the draft text read at the meeting.

Next steps identified in the meeting record included providing a copy of the resolution to local legislative representatives and encouraging other counties to add their names; board members also said they would meet with state legislators to express concerns. The board record does not include a legislative response or an implementation timeline.