KINGWOOD, W.Va. — The future of two elementary schools hangs precariously in the balance ahead of Saturday’s school excess levy vote in Preston County.
Voters will be asked, once again, to approve a levy — something they didn’t do in 2016 or 2018 and something the county electorate hasn’t successfully accomplished since 2010.
This levy came after significant public lobbying to save elementary schools in Fellowsville and Rowlesburg, which were expected to be closed permanently in the wake of the 2018 levy that failed.
So far, turnout is actually pretty strong. Early voting numbers were nearly identical to the 2016 Presidential primary, an election that has at least some comparable aspects.
“That election also had on it a fire levy,” County Clerk Linda Huggins said. “It also had on it the school board levy that only failed by 100 votes.”
Early voting, which ended Jan. 30, brought 1,608 voters to the polls, five fewer than the 2016 primary.
“It makes sense that there is an interest in it,” Huggins said. “(Voters) are not just trying to beat the weather.”
Turnout in the 2016 primary exceeded 42 percent in Preston County.
Huggins also said none of the days — even during the frigid results of the polar vortex this week — saw fewer than 100 voters come to the polls. During the 2017 road bond vote, she said there were days where early voting was about half that.
“It’s a good sign,” she said. “When you start talking about it, it’s very logical that there is going to be a huge turnout.”
In spite of the numerous voters who braved inclement weather during the final day of early voting, Huggins said an improving forecast Saturday has her optimistic that turnout will be good.
“And now that we find out the weather isn’t going to be really bad on election day, which is a good thing. The weather won’t deter people from coming out to vote,” Huggins said.
According to earlier reporting by The Dominion Post, the proposed five-year, $4.5 million levy would include annual expenditures of: General maintenance, $2 million; operational expenses, $700,000; safety and security, $250,000; hiring additional classroom teachers, $650,000; technology, $200,000; curricular, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, $150,000; instructional supplies and materials, $200,000; after-school and virtual-school programs, $300,000; and community facility use, $50,000.
The Preston County Chamber of Commerce endorsed the levy earlier this month.
Calculators to help voters determine how the levy would impact their tax bills are available at www.prestoncountyschools.com.
Polls close Saturday at 7:30 p.m.