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Historically, the Ohio County community has always shown support for our students. A levy, whether excess or bond, has consistently passed. May 14, 2024, aims to hold true, and Ohio County Schools hopes to see the excess levy pass.

The passage of the excess levy doesn’t increase taxes for Ohio County citizens, but it does have the potential to drastically alter the future of the county’s schools. The levy supports the daily functioning of our school system. With the yearly funding it allots, we are able to provide innovation in our county that is highly regarded in this region. That innovation includes robust career and technical education; current, engaging, and researched classroom curriculum; AP and college courses; a thriving robotics program; competitive athletics programs; and an emphasis on arts for all ages.

Ohio County consistently ranks at the top of our state. We have multiple Blue Ribbon schools and a continued focus on excellence.

The levy is multifaceted, and a large portion of the levy supports staff retention. Through passage, Ohio County will be able to maintain competitive pay for our teachers and compensation for our licensed substitute teachers.

Because of our competitive pay, we are able to attract, employ, and retain highly qualified teachers. The number of non-certified teachers in West Virginia has more than doubled in the past four years. More than 1,500 teachers statewide have not met the certification needs of the field in which they are teaching. Ohio County has yet to be affected by this. The vast majority of our teachers meet highly qualified status, with all fully certified.

Aside from employee retention, the levy focuses on safety, building and transportation maintenance, and community support programs.

A significant amount of funding is allotted to keeping our buildings safe. Our School Resource Officers, also known as SROs, are completely funded through the excess levy. Security cameras and upgrades, keyless door entry upgrades and replacement, lighting installations, phones and intercoms, and anti-vaping and anti-bullying software are all supported through this measure.

Even more levy funding is allotted for keeping the daily operations in our schools functioning at their best. This portion of the levy directly benefits the maintenance and operations of the school system. This means we are able to keep our schools in the best condition possible for our students. Passage also includes the maintenance of our transportation including the bus mechanics, insurance, and driver needs and trainings. We are also able to provide additional transportation on longer routes for many of our extracurriculars.

Passage of the excess levy also allows Ohio County Schools to offer support to community agencies that benefit our students. These programs include 4-H, United Way, Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center, Family Resource Network, Florence Crittenton, Northern Panhandle Head Start, Ohio County Commission, City of Wheeling and the YMCA.

I know the word “levy” can have overwhelming and complicated connotations. I also know that both facts and opinions are communicated constantly from multiple sources at a rapid rate. But the truth is simple: without maintaining the excess levy, the picture of what education is, and what we hope it will be, changes drastically for Ohio County. The losses will be devastating not only for our employees, but for our students.

For the last number of years, we’ve aimed to never stop learning, and there is still so much left to learn. Whether analyzing every piece of data or working with our students and parents to discuss curriculum, we’re focused on growth, on what’s next, and on what’s best for students.

We thank our citizens for their longtime support of our school system, and ask for your continued support on May 14 for the Ohio County Schools excess levy.

Dr. Kim Miller is superintendent of Ohio County Schools.