CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Leaders in the state’s largest county school system can begin to solidify some long-term plans, thanks to the overwhelming renewal of an excess levy this election.
The Kanawha County Schools Excess Levy, approved by voters since 1937, appeared again on ballots this November. Voters in Kanawha County gave 71 percent approval to the levy, which provides 22 percent of the school system’s operating budget. The approval solidifies the levy for a five-year period, from 2029 to 2034.
Kanawha County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paula Potter told MetroNews this is great news for everyone in the school system.
“Classroom teachers, to administrators, to custodians, to cooks, to nurses, everyone works so hard to try to provide the very best educational experience as far as students,” Potter said. “This vote is certainly a vote of confidence to help us to continue to provide the best educational opportunities for students. We couldn’t be more happy.”
Potter said it was intentional for the school system to seek approval for the levy, three years before the renewal takes effect. She said state law has changed on county school system excess levy, requiring them to appear in elections rather than on system-set dates.
Potter said now they can have a clearer picture while planning for the future.
“If you’re always up to the final vote, so to speak, or if you’re afraid it’s going to run out, let’s say it was going to run out today and we weren’t sure yesterday,” Potter said, “you can’t do any future planning and have things in place to add some stability to your system.”
The levy money will go towards many different Kanawha County Schools opportunities, including more experiences for middle schoolers in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
“When I hold ‘Town Hall’ meetings or area LSIC (Local School Improvement Council) meetings, our parents have asked, ‘can there be more Career and Technical Education opportunities at the middle school level?'” Potter said. “We added that to the levy, we thought that is something that could definitely be a bonus for our students.”
She mentioned that the levy will also assist with transportation for Kanawha County Schools’ extracurricular activities. Potter noted that some students felt that a lack of transportation was a barrier to participation in extracurriculars. Additionally, the funds will go towards improvements at elementary school playgrounds to ensure that students have an opportunity to get much-needed exercise, Potter said.
Education officials have told MetroNews the levy supports roofing and HVAC replacements, funding the 12 Kanawha County Schools security officers, along with nurses, aides, clerks, and bus drivers.
There was a dedicated effort put forth by many members of Kanawha County Schools, in addition to the Say Yes on Public Schools Committee, to educate voters on what the excess levy is all about. They held a support levy in downtown Charleston in the lead up to the election.
Potter said that the administration, central office staff, and the levy committee did a great job getting the word out. She said once voters heard the information that the levy was nothing new; it’s been around for nearly a century, they went out in full force to support.
“We tried to provide as much factual information about what the levy is, what it does pay for, and how students are directly benefitted from these levy dollars,” Potter said. “We also thought it was very important that our community know it wouldn’t increase their taxes; it would just be a continuation of what they’re currently paying.”
The levy’s approval is good news for Kanawha County Schools, which is dealing with enrollment decline. Enrollment dropped by 933 students since last fall to this year. Kanawha County is not along in seeing those dips; it’s a trend across the Mountain State.
Potter said voters supporting the levy is a ‘real testament’ to how much community members are committed to supporting education. When they’re developing their plans moving forward in the county, she said, having the levy will be invaluable.
“With this vote, and knowing that it’s in place, it will allow us to make informed decisions a few years out,” Potter said. “So that we aren’t looking at drastic services to our students being cut, just overnight.”