MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In Monongalia County, voters have supported a school excess levy every five years since 1994.
Tuesday, Greg Bowman, Co-Chair of the Citizens for Schools Committee 2016, hopes that trend continues.
“We’re truly fortunate that the citizens of this county have supported levies for decades to provide for the funding that we need. Without this, we will have to cut programs. There will be many fewer opportunities for our students. And, I think you will see graduation rates go down,” Bowman noted.
The levy must be passed by a simple majority and is a renewal of the levy and rate that’s already been in place.
It would provide funds to the school system for student services, maintenance and transportation and staff salaries from 2017 to 2022.
“The regular budget only covers three-fourths of what we need. This is an opportunity to choose to fund our schools and have all that money stay here in this county as opposed to it being raised state wide and being allocated. This is an opportunity for us in this community to choose to fully fund our own schools,” added Bowman.
The levy rate is set at just under .17 on every $100 of assessed Class I property.
According to the committee pushing for support, the levy rate is 73% of the maximum permitted by State code. Literature indicates that’s 2% less than the current rate property owners are already paying.
“All that money stays in the county. It lets the schools buy art supplies and text books, pay teachers and staff more competitively. It supports athletics. It’s a $28 million a year infusion of cash into our school system to keep it excellent and competitive,” Bowman tallied.
In October of 2011, 69% of Monongalia County voters chose to renew the levy from 2012 to 2017.
From 2011 to 2015, enrollment has grown by just under 500 students. Bowman said those students benefit in ways they wouldn’t without the funding.
“All students in the high schools go to all home athletic and performing arts events free of charge right now. And, that is only possible because of the money that came from the levy. This is something that’s voted on by the citizens of our county every five years. And, every five years it’s important to support this again,” Bowman said.
If renewed, the Monongalia County Schools Excess Levy would be effective from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022.
Local School boards can’t ask for levy renewals beyond five years at a time.