West Virginia code only allows the board to run levies and bonds during designated general and primary elections. If it is decided not to run the levy this fall, the next opportunity will be in the spring 2026 primary.
Hayes said when the levy failed during the primary she reached out to other counties whose levies passed and asked what they did to made their endeavors a success.
Hayes said people want to be heard, so having sub-committees in every community would help “When you talk about Rowlesburg School and Fellowsville school people want to know about the future of these schools,” she said. “Seventy-four percent of our group (committee members) want [the levy] to be on the fall election ballot the remaining members want to wait until 2026.”
Some of the suggestions she made included focusing on mailers to certain groups, newspaper ads, explaining the tax rebate law, helping elderly voters file exemptions and having information tables at senior and other events.
Superintendent Brad Martin agreed, saying he believes the potential closure of the two schools would substantially move voter action. He noted that Taylor County has passed every school levy since 1961.
“We have to have 1,000 to 2,000 more registered voters who didn’t vote turn out,” he said. “People voted the way they normally would no matter what we do,” board member Lucas Tatham said.
Board member Pam Feathers said she believes the board should put the levy on the ballot again this fall.
“I’m on a fence,” she said. “If we wait two years, we’ll have to begin from scratch. I believe the levy needs a personal approach. The seniors have a valid point — they are on a fixed income. We could offer a tax service and offer to help them file an exemption. We have to also work with our staff,” she said.
No further action was taken. Discussion was tabled to the next meeting.
In other business, summer school will run Monday through Friday, from June 24 to Aug. 2 at Preston High School, West Preston, Bruceton Mills and East Preston with regional busing from all locations. Enrollment targets students demonstrating learning gaps and deficits.
Energy Express will operate from June 17-July 26 at Preston High School. The six-week program will focus on nutrition and reading skills. Further information about summer programs can be found on the board of education website or on its Facebook page.
The next meeting of the Preston County Board of Education will be 6 p.m. June 27 at the Board of Education building.
KINGWOOD — A discussion about possibly adding the levy to the fall ballot led to a number of suggestions by Vanessa Hayes, who represented the levy committee at the meeting.
West Virginia code only allows the board to run levies and bonds during designated general and primary elections. If it is decided not to run the levy this fall, the next opportunity will be in the spring 2026 primary.
Hayes said when the levy failed during the primary she reached out to other counties whose levies passed and asked what they did to made their endeavors a success.
Hayes said people want to be heard, so having sub-committees in every community would help “When you talk about Rowlesburg School and Fellowsville school people want to know about the future of these schools,” she said. “Seventy-four percent of our group (committee members) want [the levy] to be on the fall election ballot the remaining members want to wait until 2026.”
Some of the suggestions she made included focusing on mailers to certain groups, newspaper ads, explaining the tax rebate law, helping elderly voters file exemptions and having information tables at senior and other events.
Superintendent Brad Martin agreed, saying he believes the potential closure of the two schools would substantially move voter action. He noted that Taylor County has passed every school levy since 1961.
“We have to have 1,000 to 2,000 more registered voters who didn’t vote turn out,” he said. “People voted the way they normally would no matter what we do,” board member Lucas Tatham said.
Board member Pam Feathers said she believes the board should put the levy on the ballot again this fall.
“I’m on a fence,” she said. “If we wait two years, we’ll have to begin from scratch. I believe the levy needs a personal approach. The seniors have a valid point — they are on a fixed income. We could offer a tax service and offer to help them file an exemption. We have to also work with our staff,” she said.
No further action was taken. Discussion was tabled to the next meeting.
In other business, summer school will run Monday through Friday, from June 24 to Aug. 2 at Preston High School, West Preston, Bruceton Mills and East Preston with regional busing from all locations. Enrollment targets students demonstrating learning gaps and deficits.
Energy Express will operate from June 17-July 26 at Preston High School. The six-week program will focus on nutrition and reading skills. Further information about summer programs can be found on the board of education website or on its Facebook page.
The next meeting of the Preston County Board of Education will be 6 p.m. June 27 at the Board of Education building.
