Harrison County Schools board reviews budget language and shifts Medicaid supplement to payroll

Harrison County Schools officials reviewed proposed budget and personnel language at a board meeting, clarifying who receives certain pay supplements and directing staff to spread a Medicaid-related supplement across regular paychecks to comply with state law.

The discussion opened with several members and staff flagging wording in personnel sections, including a suggested change from the term “professional accountant” to “certified” to avoid confusion over credentialing. Chair led the procedural review and sought clarifications across multiple line items.

A central topic was the district’s Medicaid supplement for special-education-related professionals. A committee member asked whether the supplement applies to every special-education teacher or only to those who bill Medicaid. A staff member responded that the district “gets a list from special ed” and the supplement is paid to those billing Medicaid, explaining the list-based approach to eligibility. Another committee member noted that eligibility can fluctuate with student caseloads and billing status.

Board discussion also addressed the classification of speech-language pathologists. A committee member asked why speech-language pathologists are grouped with special-education teachers rather than with physical or occupational therapists. A staff member said a statewide grievance resulted in the state classifying those professionals as classroom teachers and that, as a result, they receive the same three-step salary increase applied to classroom teachers; offering a separate supplement to them would require extending the same supplement broadly.

On payment timing, a staff member cited West Virginia Code 21-5-3 and told the board that because the Medicaid supplement is a salary supplement tied to a 200-day work year, “it should be spread over all paychecks” rather than paid as a single annual lump sum. The staff member added that employees will still receive the same $2,000 total (for 200-day employees) if they meet the work requirement, but the amount will be distributed across pay periods and taxed at regular withholding rates.

The board also heard from staff that the district has reviewed subscription services and licensing costs. Staff reported they had identified duplicate licenses and subscriptions that will not be renewed and that some purchases have been centralized — for example, using a countywide Adobe license — to reduce redundant spending. Members were told refunds are generally not available for some subscriptions.

Curriculum staff reviewed textbook and license needs and pared purchases to fit instructional expectations, which staff said helped keep budget submissions from being excessive.

The meeting closed after a procedural motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.