Superintendent warns of staff reductions as board holds levy rates steady

Doctor Miller told the Ohio County Board of Education on April 14 that the district faces lower projected tax revenue and declining enrollment, and he outlined staffing reductions the administration says are necessary for fiscal year 2026. "Next year, we will have 16 professional positions eliminated," Doctor Miller said, adding that five of those reductions would occur through attrition and 11 would result from enrollment declines.

Miller said 449 students participate in the HOOT scholarship program, which reduces the district's share of funding, and estimated that program participation is drawing down roughly $2,245,000. "As a public school system, we look at all those moving parts so that we can continue the programs that we offer for our students," he said.

Finance staff presented a preliminary schedule of proposed levy rates and an operating-budget estimate. The administration recommended keeping the operating excess levy at 95.5% of the maximum allowed. The board voted to approve submission of the schedule of proposed levy rates to the state auditor for review and to reconvene April 15 to formally adopt fiscal-26 levy rates.

Separately, the board approved a motion related to the Ohio County Public Library excess levy at 100% of the allowable rate, producing a preliminary estimate of $927,121 in revenue; finance staff described that figure as an estimate and said final amounts could change before formal adoption. The board later moved to accept a rough operating budget estimate for planning purposes; the estimate was described at the time as likely to change.

No formal layoffs were recorded during the meeting; the personnel slate presented included specific renewal and termination recommendations and was voted on as presented by the board. Board members emphasized the preliminary nature of the budget numbers and the district's reliance on state aid and voter-approved levies for next year.