Upshur County Schools board delays vote on proposed levy rates, sets April 21 special meeting

The Upshur County Board of Education received a presentation on proposed levy rates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, but postponed a vote and recessed to a special meeting scheduled for April 21 at 10:00 a.m.

Board President called the special meeting to order and conducted roll call before asking Sherry Dean to lead the pledge of allegiance. The president then yielded the floor to Christine Miller, who presented the schedule of proposed levy rates and recommended the board approve the schedule.

"This evening's meeting is to what we call lay the levy," Christine Miller said, introducing the proposed schedule. Miller told members the schedule lists rates per $100 of assessed valuation for each class of property and that, if adopted, the board will send the schedule to the West Virginia State Auditor's Office and publish it in the local newspaper as required by West Virginia code. She also noted that Upshur County Schools does not have an excess levy; the presented rates are for the current expense levy only.

When the president asked for a motion to accept the presented levy rates, members indicated they preferred not to take that action at the special meeting. "We don't want to do that this evening. We want to recess," a board member stated, and the board moved to recess and reschedule.

Roy Wager moved to recess until the special meeting on April 21 at 10:00 a.m.; Susan King seconded the motion. The motion carried and the board recessed at 5:48 p.m. The transcript notes that the board's regular meeting would not begin until 6:00 p.m.

The board did not vote on or adopt the proposed levy rates during this session; the proposal will be brought back for consideration at the April 21 special meeting.