MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Board of Education has approved an operating budget of slightly over $121.5 million for the coming fiscal year.
In the budget, 82 percent will go to employee salaries, benefits and regular operating cost, the rest is basic programs.
The board approved its budget despite uncertainty still swirling in Charleston around the state budget.
“Our biggest concern is with all the cuts we’ve been taking and the cuts at the state level, that our budgets have been extremely tight and we’ve done a lot of work to try to make the services we provide to the students fit within budget we’re allotted,” said school board member Ron Lytle.
“Everything we’re hearing in the state level is that budgets aren’t going to go up and at best they’re only going to stay where they’re at and most likely decrease.” said Lytle
Even though PILOT money will be decreased and with other counties taking much more significant cuts, Lytle says the school board will continue to talk.
“We’re going to stay on them and try to make sure that they keep the schools in the future of the state in the forefront of their thinkings.” said Lytle.
The WV Legislature Special Session is in recess and will resume on May 15th.