Pending positive signatures in Charleston, school levy rates in Monongalia County are expected to stay the same as in recent years – following action taken by Board of Education members Wednesday night.
District treasurer Nicole Kemper presented two sets of rates, one each for the regular and excess levies, for consideration.
For the regular, statewide levy, the BOE voted in the affirmative for 38.80 cents per $100 of assessed value for Class II properties, which are owner-occupied homes.
The board also voted to keep rates the same for Class III properties – which are not used or occupied by the owner and are outside a municipality – and Class IV, the same as Class III but within a municipality.
Class III and Class IV rates at 77.60 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Under the excess levy, which is used to pay for expenses such as textbooks and the salaries of school nurses, the BOE voted to keep those rates the same as well.
As with recent years, Class III and Class IV excess levy rates will hold at 67 cents per $100.
In accordance with state code, the board will reconvene in April for a public hearing, and after that, the rates will be sent to Charleston and the state Department of Education and state Auditor’s Office for final approval.
Locally, the excess levy, in particular, is a traditional boon to the quality of life in Mon Schools, as it brings in around $30 million to district coffers annually.
Meanwhile, tax revenues in Mon grew $5 million due to new construction, Kemper said.
In other matters, Mon’s BOE recognized University High School’s state championship varsity wrestling team and delivered a 365-day expulsion to a student for violating the Safe Schools Act.
