Preston County board adopts $48 million FY27 budget, approves 365‑day expulsion and awards summer feeding contract

The Preston County Board of Education on May 26 adopted a proposed FY27 operating budget totaling approximately $48 million, approved a superintendent‑recommended expulsion of “Student A” for 365 days and awarded the district’s 2026 non‑congregate summer feeding contract to Healthy Kids Incorporated.

Katrina Kurstetter, the district treasurer and chief school business official, presented the budget and walked the board through revenue and expense drivers, saying the general current is set at $48 million and that the district will rely in part on a beginning fund balance and a $1.9 million excess‑levy carryover. Kurstetter noted enrollment declines are reducing the district’s FTE funding from the state and that the state now requires a 5% revenue reserve. “How the budget typically works is it is compiled by directors, superintendent, assistant superintendent, myself, and then I submit it to you,” she said during the presentation.

Board discussion acknowledged reduced state and federal revenue estimates, charter school pass‑through payments (the transcript lists roughly $900,000 for charter payments), and one final year of a bond/debt payment that leaves the district debt‑free after this fiscal year. After discussion the board voted to adopt the FY27 operating budget for submission to the West Virginia Department of Education (motion made by Mrs. Nos; seconded by Mr. Ziggray; vote recorded in the transcript as "Motion passes 40").

Discipline action: The board voted after an executive session to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to expel "Student A" for 365 days in line with a submitted plan. The district said no action was taken during the executive session itself; the superintendent’s recommendation and the subsequent motion were recorded in open session and carried by electronic vote (motion moved by Mr. Hovatter; seconded by Mr. Ziggray; vote announced in the transcript as passing).

Summer feeding contract: The board approved awarding the 2026 non‑congregate summer feeding program to Healthy Kids Incorporated after hearing that only a single bid had been received and that the operator expected the program to at least break even. Pickup/delivery logistics for the free summer meals—scheduled to begin the week of June 29 and continue through mid‑August—were discussed in the superintendent’s report and will deliver to multiple district pickup sites.

Other votes and approvals: The board also approved Aurora School’s Local School Improvement Council budget priorities for 2026–27, adopted minutes from the May 11 meeting, approved service and professional personnel agendas (Mr. Ziggray recused himself on a professional‑personnel item because he was listed as a potential substitute), and approved budget journal entries recognizing new grant receipts for CPR instruction and scratch‑cooking training.

What this means: The adopted FY27 budget preserves staffing funding while directing the district to use portioned reserves and grant estimates to bridge revenue shortfalls from declining enrollment and state adjustments. The board indicated continued scrutiny of charter payments, grant estimates and facilities needs during implementation.

Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: motion passed (transcript notation: "Motion passes 40"). - Expulsion: Superintendent recommended 365‑day expulsion of "Student A"; motion passed (electronic vote; transcript notation: "Motion passes 40"). - FY27 budget: Adopted for submission to state (motion passed; transcript notation: "Motion passes 40"). - Non‑congregate summer feeding: Award to Healthy Kids Incorporated (motion passed; transcript notation: "Motion passes 40"). - Aurora LSIC priorities: Approved (motion passed; transcript notation: "Motion passes 40"). - Professional personnel: Approved with Mr. Ziggray recused (vote recorded as "Motion passes 30 with Mr. Ziggray not present at the time of the vote"). - Budget journal entries 164 & 165: Approved (motion passed; transcript notation: "Motion passes 40").

Next steps and implementation: The budget is submitted to the West Virginia Department of Education for final review and approval under state code 18‑9B‑6A. The district will finalize grant figures, move planned transfers for child nutrition and staff development, and proceed with summer food service operations and facilities projects identified in the superintendent’s report.