CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill allocating $2.1 million to Boone County Schools passed the House of Delegates Tuesday, and is awaiting the governor’s signature.
The county has been especially hurt by the downtown of the coal industry, prompting superintendent John Hudson to request the allocation from the state so the system can meet payroll for the current school year.
“We know the coal industry has taken a hit, and Boone County has take probably the worst,” said Lincoln County Del. Jeff Eldridge in support of the bill. “Not looking at it as a bailout or handout, but in helping the families in Boone County through this troublesome time.”
Boone County has already cut nearly $7 million out of next year’s school budget with more cuts imminent, Eldridge said.
“I take them at their word that they’re going to do everything they can to pursue this money in litigation,” he said. “I know they will want to do the right thing. For 30-40 years I know that Boone County has given over $58 million to the state of West Virginia.”
The bankruptcy filing of Alpha Natural Resources, which owns several large mining operations in Boone County, contributed in particular to the revenue shortfall.
A provision in state code allows school systems to receive supplemental appropriations in a case where that county isn’t able to collect property taxes because of court proceedings.