Ohio County Board adopts 2026–27 budget, approves salary schedule and several contracts

The Ohio County Board of Education voted May 26 to adopt the district’s fiscal year 2026–27 budget as presented and to approve a salary schedule that includes a legislatively mandated 3% raise.

The board approved the budget after a presentation by finance staff that listed the proposed 2026–27 total (read from the meeting materials as “87,81,874”) and described a roughly $3.95 million increase from the current year driven primarily by salary and benefit costs, a required 5% reserve directed by the West Virginia Department of Education and higher property tax receipts offset in part by a decrease in state aid. Finance staff also said year‑to‑date cash receipts are down about $10 million compared with the prior year.

"A lot of these numbers are estimates. They probably will change at some point," said Steve Bennett during the presentation, noting the proposed budget is based on current projections. Dr. Miller recommended the budget for adoption; the board moved, seconded and approved the budget by voice vote.

The board also approved the 2026–27 salary schedule, which trustees said reflects a 3% state-mandated raise that the board’s staff translated into specific amounts for professional and service personnel. Board members voted unanimously to accept the schedule.

Votes at a glance
- 2026–27 Budget as presented: approved (voice vote; tally not specified) — provenance SEG 366–SEG 486
- 2026–27 Salary schedule: approved (unanimous voice vote) — provenance SEG 487–SEG 551
- Sale of used equipment (four buses, two trucks): accepted — proceeds to the general fund — provenance SEG 1056–SEG 1095
- Copier services contract (Richardson Copy Concepts): accepted at $14,400 per month (estimated average usage) — provenance SEG 1096–SEG 1134
- Consent agenda (items 8.1–8.8 including paid bills and contract support): approved — provenance SEG 1143–SEG 1311

Board members pressed staff on several budget details during discussion, including the growth in special‑education costs and transportation expenses. Bennett told trustees the district’s property tax receipts increased by roughly $3.1 million while state aid fell by about $850,000, producing a net change driven largely by salary and benefit increases and a required 5% reserve. Finance staff cautioned that many figures remain estimates pending actual collections.

The board also approved several procurement items and routine personnel and contract actions on the consent agenda, including acceptance of the highest bidders for the used vehicles and a monthly copier services contract. Where votes were taken the meeting record shows motions were made, seconded and passed by voice vote; specific numerical tallies were not recorded in the transcript.

The board will continue to monitor revenue collections and special‑education costs as staff refine projections and report back; trustees also signaled intention to pursue state‑level advocacy on special‑education funding.