Board approves levy rates, 2026–27 calendar and MOU to fund instructional coaches

During its March 16 regular session the Hampshire County Board of Education approved several routine but consequential items: proposed levy rates, the 2026–27 school calendar, procurement of audits and an MOU that would fund instructional coaches.

The district’s finance representative read proposed levy figures on the record and the board approved the rates by voice vote; board members noted that the district does not receive the entire statutory levy amount that is collected. The board then approved Calendar 2 for the 2026–27 school year after the calendar committee reported an online vote (207 votes for Calendar 2, 128 for Calendar 1). The superintendent clarified that a specific graduation date is determined by the high school administration.

Denise, the district finance/administrative staff member, explained the audit procurement process: the district must have audited financial statements and typically solicits bids from CPAs unless the state auditor decides to perform the audit. The board authorized soliciting CPAs to perform audits for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026–2028 and appointed Kathy Jeffreys to serve on the audit committee to review bids and scoring.

The board also approved an MOU with West Virginia Impact Group to support hiring and training up to four instructional coaches (potentially two ELA and two math coaches for elementary grades). The administration said Impact Group would pay for the coaches’ costs but had not specified the exact federal or state funding stream; the administration stated the MOU funds would not come from the district’s general fund.

What happens next: the finance office will file required levy paperwork, the superintendent’s office will publish the approved calendar, the audit RFP will be prepared and circulated and the district will work with Impact Group on next steps for coach hiring and training.