MADISON, W.Va. — In a special emergency session Thursday afternoon, the Boone County School Board once again voted unanimously to reject an order from the state Dept. of Education to cut its budget for the coming school year.
State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martirano had ordered the system to make employee pay and benefit cuts, but excluded about 35 layoffs that were recommended last week.
He warned earlier this week that if Boone County Schools refused to submit a reasonable budget, the state could take over the system, and state school aid funding could be withheld.
“The action taken today by the Boone County Board of Education does not eliminate the outstanding issue: Boone County has not provided a sufficient budget that would allow the county to continue operations for the entirety of the 2016-2017 school year,” said WVDE Executive Director of Communications Kristin Anderson.
The Boone County School Board voted months ago to close three elementary schools and cut 80 positions for the 2016-2017 school year.
The state Board of Education meets next Wednesday.