Lewis County (West Virginia) Board of Education concludes levy special meetings

In addition to comments from building principals and teachers, comments were shared by WVU Extension agents, Louis Bennett Public Library Director Katrina Johnson and Transportation Director Gerry Paugh. During Monday’s final special meeting at the transportation building, Paugh advocated to continue student after-school shuttle runs, a wash bay for buses and career and technical education (CTE) promotion.

Nearly 130 students used the shuttle runs during the month of October. Of the 32 full-time drivers and eight substitutes, four currently are designated for the shuttle runs. Paugh also drives three days per week.

Legislation now calls for levy votes to be counted during general elections, Superintendent Melinda Stewart said. May’s vote will determine if a levy takes effect in mid-2025.

“I will be compiling all of the information from the levy meetings to share before a work session,” Stewart said.

At an August 2022 Lewis County Board of Education meeting, board members reviewed the 16 areas the current levy call effects through 2025. Nearly $3 million is allocated annually, with the majority of funding, $821,329, dedicated for more than a dozen district personnel.

Stewart said levy funds helps support facility updates, arts programs, transportation, technology, textbooks, curriculum, the Lewis County Health Department, free admission for many to middle school and high school competitions, employee health insurance and Lewis County Emergency Services.

The current levy vote was approved by paper ballots during a special election Feb. 8, 2020, according to former Board of Education Treasurer Jill Spencer.

“We have the longest running levy in the state,” Lewis County Clerk Cynthia Rowan said before special meetings began. “I’ve been here over 40 years, and we’ve approved it every five years.”

In other business, board directors also welcomed new board Treasurer Mariah Richards to her first meeting. Richards’ hire was effective Oct. 31.

“I always wanted to get into school finance,” said the former public accounting firm employee who audited West Virginia schools. “I think education is important and is what is going to make this state grow and prosper.”

Richards, of Fairmont but a graduate of Wirt County Schools, said she likes the small-town atmosphere in Weston.

“My first task is making sure Lewis County can keep all of its federal funding. That deadline is coming up (on Nov. 15),” Richards said.

The next board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 in the district administration building, located at 239 Court Ave. in Weston.