Members of the Preston County Board of Education voted 3-1 to place the excess levy on the General Election ballot in November.
The levy was defeated during the May Primary Election.
“I’m torn in this,” board member Michael Hovatter said. “I’ve supported levies in the past, and I support this one, but we need to keep the public vote in mind. How do you anticipate getting this out to voters? We can give the public a break and run it in 2026.”
Superintendent of Schools Bradley Martin said levy funds represent a large part of the budget. He said 17 individuals were paid with levy funds — including 10 professionals, two technicians, four service personnel and the police officer who helped provide security at the school.
Regardless of whether the levy passes this fall, two local schools, Fellowsville and Rowlesburg, could close their doors prior to the 2025-26 school year. During their May 28 meeting, board members asked Martin to explore options related to closing the two schools.
The request was made due to the large decrease in enrollment and the building capacity at potential district schools, where students could be moved. The current enrollment at Rowlesburg is 34 students in grades K-8, and
74 students grades Pre-K-4 at Fellowsville. Martin said a grade level was removed from Fellowsville and that loss impacted its numbers.
The district’s Comprehensive Educational Facility plan was completed in 2020 and identified the potential closure of these schools between 2025-30. The procedure process involved in a school closure is specified in WVDE Policy 6204. One of the major requirements is the preparation and submission of an impact statement and supporting data concerning the proposed school closing.
“Tonight, I would like to formally advise the board that it is my intent to complete the required impact statement and bring a proposal to the board for potential closure of both Fellowsville and Rowlesburg schools for the 2025-26 academic year,” Martin said. “I hope to bring this presentation by late August or early September. During the closure
proceedings in 2018, this process was begun on Sept. 24. The process must be completed by Dec. 30, but must be approved by the West Virginia State Board of Education during a scheduled meeting in advance of the Dec. 30 deadline.”
He said the areas to be included in the impact statement related to the proposed school closures include environment trends, facilities, finances, personnel, student transportation and community impact.
Martin said the measure is being pursued as a matter of fiscal responsibility, is in line with the district’s current CEFP plan, and the recommendation will be carried out with the board’s approval regardless of the outcome of the levy initiative that is scheduled to be placed on the November ballot.
No further action was taken.
Board members also heard from a member of the public about the lack of textbooks. Vicki Harris told board members her son is having problems with math.
“My son is in Algebra 2. I don’t know how you can teach math without a math book,” she said. “How do kids know what they are doing without a book to look at? Another child asked the teacher to go over a problem he had on the board a second time and he said no. If there is no homework and all the grades are from tests and quizzes you are setting them up for failure.”
Harris said her son was making Cs at Trinity and he is currently ‘not doing well.’
Martin said the newly adopted curriculum will have textbooks available for the students.
