Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Harrison County board approves levy rates, non‑essential spending freeze and several school projects
Summary
The Harrison County Board of Education approved proposed 2026–27 levy rates for state submission, enacted a countywide non‑essential spending freeze through June 30, 2027, and approved several agenda items including a $31,000.15 change order for a safe‑school entrance and the HOPE CTE pathway at Robert C. Byrd High School.
The Harrison County Board of Education on March 17 approved a slate of budget‑related measures, including submission of the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 levy rates to the state and a non‑essential spending freeze intended to preserve fund balance while staff and trustees analyze longer‑term options.
The board voted to submit levy rates for publication and state review after staff explained that assessed property values determine collections and that roughly $28.6 million would be raised before adjustments. Finance staff noted that about 85% of regular levy collections are used in the state aid calculation (reducing state aid in offsetting fashion), leaving an estimated 15% local share for operations. Board members discussed volatility in oil‑and‑gas valuations and projected a revenue reduction that staff estimated could equal the funding for roughly five positions.
Other approvals at the meeting included:
- A $31,000.15 change order for additional electrical/security work on the Liberty Mills safe‑school entrance, bringing the total project cost presented to approximately $561,019.15; the motion carried by voice vote.
- Approval of an out‑of‑state student travel/study request (listed attendees and chaperone details to be confirmed by staff).
- Approval of the HOPE pathway local CTE concentration to be located at Robert C. Byrd High School beginning in 2026.
- Passage of a recommended non‑essential spending freeze through June 30, 2027, intended to pause discretionary vehicle and equipment purchases, noncritical travel and some contracted services pending more detailed staffing and budget work.
- Approval of personnel items listed on the agenda.
Superintendent updates and staff presentations accompanied each vote. The superintendent reminded the board that excess levy funds are restricted to the purposes identified in the levy call and therefore cannot be repurposed for general payroll obligations. “This money is not touched. It’s earmarked for what it’s earmarked for,” the superintendent said during the levy discussion.
Board members emphasized that the freeze and other ideas are initial steps and that protecting classroom positions and student services should remain a priority as the district refines specific proposals and evaluates attrition and other measures.
The board took each vote by motion and voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were provided in the meeting transcript. Several agenda items were described as preliminary ideas rather than final actions; the board directed staff to return with more detailed analyses where needed.
What happens next: levy rates will be sent to the state for publication and the spending freeze remains in effect until the board lifts it by formal vote or adopts different measures.
