MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Voters in Monongalia County will be asked to continue their support for an excess levy that has been on the books for more than 50 years.
The Monongalia County Schools Excess Levy has been in place since 1973, providing substantial support for before- and after-school programs and personnel. For the 2026-27 school year the levy will provide more than $35 million for those important operations.
“One of the three categories businesses look at when communities are growing is how is the educational program and we’re always in the top three,” Monongalia County Commission president Tom Bloom said. “This is a must for us to keep moving forward.”
Monongalia County Sheriff Todd Forbes reminds the public of the importance and highlights that this is a renewal, not a call for additional funds from residents in the county.
“It’s a very solid resource we’ve had over the past 50 plus years,” Forbes said. “We’re not asking anyone to add more to their taxes; this is a renewal of this levy.”
Forbes also noted the many hands-on education programs that workers directly into the local economy that could be affected if the levy is not passed. Vocational and technical education programs in the county have won several awards and have given the students purpose and, in many cases, careers.
“The Monongalia County Technical Education Center (MTEC)- that’s where we’re getting our future plumbers, electricians, and nurses,” Forbes said. “There are so many programs that could go away with the loss of the levy money and we need to make sure our kids are ready to go.”
Competition for jobs and industry is no longer a local or regional process, but one that unfolds on a global stage. Public schools in Monongalia County have been at or near the top in academic performance for several years, and renewal of this levy will help them maintain that performance.
“It gives them an equal opportunity to be with everyone else nationwide and that’s the key now,” Bloom said. “We’re competing with students nationwide for jobs and businesses and that’s why we need this levy.”
Sheriff Forbes said he plans to support the levy ensure county schools have the resources they need to continue to provide the foundation for young people to be successful.
“This is not something new, this not new money this something we’ve already pledged over the last 50 plus years,” Forbes said. “I will voting “yes” on the Monongalia County Schools Excess Levy renewal and I hope everybody will join me in that.”