Ohio County Schools to Cut 16 Teaching Positions Next Year

Impact of Funding Changes

Ohio County Schools Superintendent Kim Miller announced during a recent board meeting that the district will eliminate 16 teaching positions next year. This decision is largely due to a predicted 8.5% drop in tax revenue, coupled with a decrease in student enrollment.

Reasons Behind the Reductions

Miller explained that the reductions include five positions resulting from attrition and retirement, while 11 positions are directly related to lower enrollment numbers. She emphasized that the funding loss is partly attributed to West Virginia's Hope Scholarship program, which allows students to attend non-public schools using public funds.

• Currently, 449 students in Ohio County utilize the Hope Scholarship.
• The district expects approximately $2,209,704 less in budget for the upcoming year due to these scholarships.

Future Prospects

Despite the cuts, Miller noted that reductions in force (RIFs) occur annually, and many affected teachers often get rehired before the start of the school year in August. She expressed hope that the eliminated positions may be reinstated depending on future enrollment trends and available funding.

“We have really great teachers who work for us, and we hate to lose them,” Miller stated. “But it’s just what you have to do in the public school system.”