Search Block
Boone County School Board, WVDE at odds over budget for FY ’17
By Matt Maccaro, WV MetroNews
The Boone County School Board rejected a directive from the state Department of Education Thursday to make several budget cuts for Fiscal Year 2017.
The proposal included about 35 layoffs, as well as pay and benefit cuts that the WVDE said would make the struggling school system’s budget more realistic for the new fiscal year, which begins Friday.
Executive...
Martirano sends letter issuing ultimatum to Boone County School Board
By Matt Maccaro, WV MetroNews
State School Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano responded to the Boone County School Board Friday offering the board a chance to submit a realistic budget for Fiscal Year 2017, or else face potential repercussions.
Boone County Schools and the WV Dept. of Education are at odds over the budget after the board unanimously rejected a directive Thursday from...
State flood report: 3 schools won’t open this fall
By Jeff Jenkins, WV MetroNews
Monday afternoon’s flood recovery report from the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said three schools would not be opening in the fall because of flood damage.
The report lists Herbert Hoover High School and Clendenin Elementary School in Kanawha County and H.E. White Elementary in Clay County.
Herbert Hoover Principal Mike Kelly told...
Boone County School Board rejects WVDE directive again
By MetroNews Staff
In a special emergency session Thursday afternoon, the Boone County School Board once again voted unanimously to reject an order from the state Dept. of Education to cut its budget for the coming school year.
State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martirano had ordered the system to make employee pay and benefit cuts, but excluded about 35 layoffs that were recommended last...
US study: WV should redirect some prison funding to schools
David Gutman, WV Gazette-Mail
Over nearly 35 years, West Virginia’s spending on jails and prisons has increased more than five times faster than its spending on K-12 public education, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Education.
While every state’s corrections spending grew at a much faster rate from 1980 to 2013 than did its education spending, the disparity in West Virginia...
State board member weighs in on Boone County budget issue
By Matt Maccaro, WV MetroNews
MADISON, W.Va. — A Boone County native and state school board member says she understands firsthand how the county school district is struggling, but also must pass a balanced budget for the coming school year.
“Being a former superintendent, I would say that you always have to balance your budget,” said Beverly Kingery, a lifelong county resident. “Sometimes it’s...
Greenbrier principal hoping school year provides some relief after flooding
By Alex Wiederspiel, WV MetroNews
RUPERT, W.Va. — In a normal year, this is the time when Rupert Elementary School Principal Jenny Harden would be recharging her batteries for another school year.
“I would be normally playing with my two boys who are seven and twelve,” she said. “And I would be enjoying my farm.”
But this isn’t a normal year for the Nettie native. Flood...
State Board of Education to consider Boone County Wednesday
By Ryan Quinn, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
The West Virginia Board of Education could vote this week to take over Boone County’s public school system, now that Boone’s board has twice refused the state schools superintendent’s orders to make severe employee pay and benefit cuts and submit a “fiscally sufficient” budget for this fiscal and school year.
The meeting is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday in...
WVEA comments to W.Va. Board of Education about Boone County
By WVEA Staff
WVEA Government Relations Specialist Davin White addressed the state Board of Education Wednesday regarding the serious financial situation in Boone County. Here are WVEA's comments:
Dr. Martirano, President Green, and members of the board, my name is Davin White and I am here to speak on behalf of the WVEA regarding the budget situation in Boone County.
We ask...
State board on Wednesday discussed but postponed Boone decision
By Ryan Quinn, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
Audience members left the West Virginia Board of Education meeting Wednesday without knowing whether the board will take over Boone County’s school system and make the severe employee pay and benefits cuts that the state schools superintendent has twice ordered and Boone’s school board has twice refused to follow.
The meeting will continue 9 a.m....
Herbert Hoover students to begin school year splitting time in Elkview Middle building
By Jeff Jenkins, WV MetroNews
Herbert Hoover High School students will begin the new school year on a half-day schedule in the building that houses Elkview Middle School.
The state Board of Education approved the plan presented by Kanawha County School Superintendent Dr...
State BOE votes to seize control of Boone County system
By Jeff Jenkins, WV MetroNews
The state Board of Education voted Thursday to seize control of the Boone County school system on Monday unless the county’s board of education approves a balanced budget before then.
The move was recommended by state School Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano who said he could not in good conscience approve a budget that doesn’t guarantee full funding for Boone County...