001Luke, you >> you good? >> Karen, good. Okay. >> Good evening. It's time to call the January 20th, 2026 Whart County Board of Education meeting to order. First order of business is to pledge of allegiance. Uh tonight, I'm going to ask Mr. Low if he'll lead us in the pledge. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America. and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you Mr. Love. >> Okay. Need a motion to approve the agenda. >> Okay. Under the agenda, um I can't cannot see anything on the first page. Under personnel number four on the second page, we have a new one, Jennifer Mallister, beginning in teacher mentor of foreign language at War County High School. And
002then under number one under new business. Okay. Uh it states to revise the January 6, 2026. Um motion approve Jamie Venoise. Uh I looked this up, did a little research, see how we needed to do this legally. So the motion will be okay to amend the motion of January 6, 2026 of the resignation of Jamie Venoi to include her position as gifted education teacher War County Schools and extracurricular position of PBI as team leader at War County Primary Center under the same conditions as real original motion of 1626. So when we get to that point, that's the motion that I will read. >> Oh, the one that did that that motion. >> Yeah, we can't touch the motion that's there. >> Okay. >> Um I I thought maybe we just do away with it or
003revive, but we have to actually since it's been one meeting before this, if it was in the same motion, we in the same meeting, we can do that. But since we're one mo one meeting away, we have to amend it. So it's basically the same what's there except for word amend is in there. That's what rubbers rules of order say that we have to do for that. So yes sir. >> Yeah. So you said that where did you look that up at >> I did on rubbers rules of order. >> Okay. >> Yes. Uh now we used to small boards. I mean if you think something different I'm I'm open to >> you said you looked it up. I'm curious like >> Yeah. Under Robert's rules of order. >> Okay. um to to see how
004uh how we would do change or add to a motion that has already been accepted and the proper way is to amend it. So that's that's what and Sherry has that I give that Sherry beforehand so it'll come out in the minutes the way we want it. Okay. But if you know something different you I'm I'm not >> I was I was just curious. >> Okay. No, I went in actually I did the uh I did it verbally and then give me all the stuff and then I where citation it then I went into Robert's rules of order and actually read it because sometimes that AI stuff will >> will not give you the right. So I actually took what it said and then looked into the motion. So anyway, that's how that motion will
005be. Okay, >> this will have two positions. J first >> just her teaching. >> So that that's my that was an oversight on my part. In her letter it included the other two extra duty positions that she has filled but when we brought it before the board we only had her teaching position. >> Yes. >> This will this will clean it up. >> And then number three has the authorized position of interventionist extracurricular assignment or county primary center. Okay. So that's the new ones from what were on the agenda that you received. Any questions? Did I miss anything? Any questions? Hear none. We have a motion to approve the agenda for the January January 20th, 2026 War County Board meeting as presented. All in favor say I. >> I. Post say nay. Eyes have it.
006Okay, we're down to uh winter benchmarks data. Miss Danielle Taylor, Mr. McCauen. >> So, um I think the middle school and the primary center have given their winter benchmarks and first up out of the gate is Mrs. Taylor with the primary cent's winter benchmarks and the middle school will be at a board meeting later on down the calendar. So, happy to have Mrs. Taylor with us and she's going to share um winter benchmark data with us. >> Good evening. So, we're going to start off the uh this evening by talking about our math data. At the beginning of the year, we had 18% in green, which is on grade level. We had 61% in yellow, which is one grade level behind, and we had 21% in red. We just have taken our U math winter
007benchmarks and we have now 41% of our students in green. We have 49% of our students in yellow and 10% of our students in red. So you can see like we are moving right along. Um keep in mind this is midyear data. So we still have half of the year left to teach. So this looks phenomenal for this part of the school year. um a comparison of the last five years for our mid of the year data. Um you can see that 41% puts us just about where we've been almost every year except for one. Uh 49% of kids in yellow there again is very comparable to the last five years and 10% in red also comparable to the last five years. Oh, I went the wrong direction. I apologize. um math the domain of
008uh numbers and operations. We started off the year in 20% in green. We now have 46% of our students in green. 61% were in yellow and now we have 47% and we've moved from 19% to 7% in red. In the domain of algebra and algebraic thinking, we have moved from 22% in green to 50%, 62% in yellow to 41% and 16% in red to 9%. In the domain of measurements and data, we have increased from 27% to 41% in green, uh 53% to 44% in yellow, and 14% to 20 um 20 to 14% in red. and geometry. Uh we have increased from 23% to 42% in green. Um our yellow has went from 53% to 45% and our red has went from 24% to 13%. Um here's a uh chart that shows our amount of
009growth broken down by grade level. Um kindergarten kindergarten is so wonderful. Look at those little kids. They started off not knowing much of anything and boy they they just really grow and so they have such great growth in kindergarten but 46% growth in kindergarten. Uh first grade has shown 31% growth, second grade 20, third grade 22 and fourth grade is at 4% growth. Um we had three goals in our strategic plan for math. Uh the first goal was 65% of our students will make typical growth. Right now we're at 23%. Um there's a red check mark beside the next two goals because we have already met those goals only being at midyear. Uh we have doubled in the number of students at or above grade level. So our goal was 36%. We are already at
01041%. So we've already surpassed goal number two. Goal number three was to decrease the number of students two or more grade levels by 50% the kids who are in red. The goal was 10 and a half% and we are currently at 10%. So we have surpassed that goal as well at the midyear. Moving on to reading. Um beginning of the year we had 27% of our students in green. We now have 52%. We had 56 in yellow. We now have 35. And we had 17% in red and we now have 13. Um as you can see here again our reading is pretty much consistent over the last five years. our data for this year in reading with 52% in in green, 35 in yellow, and 13 in red. Funological awareness. The beginning of the year,
01172% of our students were in green at the beginning of the year, and now we have 83% green, 15% in yellow, and only 2% in red. phonics. We went from 41% in green to 63, 37% in yellow to 24, and third uh 23% to 13 in red. High frequency words, we have moved from 34% to 72%. That's a that's a nice that's a great growth. 50% in yellow uh to 21% and 16% to seven in red. Our vocabulary, we've went from 32% to 51, 49% to 34, and 19% to 15. And comprehension literature, 34% to 51, 45% to 31, and 21% to 18. reading um informative is 31% to 49% in green, 44 to 31 in yellow, and 25 to 20 in red. And our growth for the year there again, those kindergarten kids are
012just learning all the things. They have 49% growth, kindergarten at 31%, second grade at 6%, third grade at 17, and fourth grade at 10. Um, our goals for reading, uh, our three goals that were our strategic plan, they're again, 65% of our students will make typical growth. We're currently at 30. We will double the number of students at or above grade level. Um, we're at 52%, our goal is 54, so we're almost to our goal there. And then we will just decrease the number of students below grade level by 50%, our goal is 9%, we're at 13. So, we need to just decrease that number by four more percent to reach our end of the year goal. Short and sweet tonight. Any questions? >> Any questions, Mrs. Taylor? >> Yeah. Okay. So, I noticed that
013the the high frequency uh words were very well. Where does that do you know where that compares to last year? >> Um I can look it up for you, but I don't know off the top of my head. >> Okay. Yeah, I' I'm I'd like to know that because it looks like it was very good. And then >> I agree it wasn't very nice. >> Additionally, uh if it's significantly different than last year, >> I'd like to know what are we doing? What are we doing different this year that's >> as opposed to last year >> that's making that uh making those increases? >> Yeah, I think this year um we're more a little bit more familiar with our curriculum. You know, every year a teacher teaches a curriculum. they get more fluid at it
014and more um efficient at it. So that could be a lot of the difference. Also, we're using a new um program this year to help with our intervention called 95% group and that's a very uh systematic um based program based on the science of reading. Uh so that could also be uh playing into the uh values you see here with our data. We um using that we're doing a walk to intervention model where the students are grouped by what skill they need and then they um leave their classroom called a walk to and they go to that interventionist who is working on that spec specific skill. Um so it's very datadriven and the kids are getting exactly the skill that they need in reading. So that also could be contributing. So then it's uh looking
015at the individual student and putting them in the focused area. >> Correct. Correct. >> Correct. Based on their assessments with data. Yes. >> Okay. >> Our title one teachers are excellent at at taking care of that and doing those assessments with our students. And I do want to say Ashley Gau is is the one who does all the data and the PowerPoint. And so I appreciate her putting that all together. She is a master at data. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? Any other >> correct? Yes. >> Yes. Absolutely. Yes. >> So I know do they go to another class like day or certain days? >> Um it very much depends on their IEP. Yes. um like some kids with IEP are like only with one teacher all day if they're maybe on alternate
016standards. Um where the students who are not on alternate standards but are still special ed students would go um to whatever teacher whether they're co-e or core replacement. So it would depend on how their IEP is written. Yes, sir. >> So, how will they fit in to an >> Well, they're in whatever classroom their grade is. So, if you have a fourth grade student, they're in the fourth grade classroom. Um, but I Ready um differentiates their lessons based on how they do on their diagnostic. So you may be in a fourth grade classroom, but if your diagnostic is like on a sixth grade level, then you're getting sixth grade lessons through I Ready. >> So do they go are they are they in the same classroom or they go to >> both? So a fourth
017grader who is gifted is in the fourth grade classroom, but then they are getting their special education minutes with Mrs. Venoi, our gifted teacher. Um, and I think it's maybe two two times a week. It's it's like maybe seven times a month. So, some weeks it's two times a week and sometimes it's one one time a week. >> Yeah. Thank you. I've had a parent ask. >> Yeah. It very much depends on how the IEP is written, but normally she sees those kids about six, seven times a month. >> All driven by an IEP. >> Correct. Yes. And I the first letter in IEP is individualized so everybody is different. >> You're welcome. Any other questions? >> Going once, going twice. >> Appreciate it. >> Sold. All right. Thank you. >> Good work as always.
018Thank you, Mrs. Taylor. >> Thank you. It's a It's a pleasure to be here. It's a pleasure to brag on my teachers because they they do an outstanding job each and every day. >> Yes, >> we appreciate them. >> Okay, we're down to B. The riff and transfer projections. a number of formula and uh if you follow the paper and the news at all this is a big issue within our state at the moment okay as far as uh counties getting into tremendous uh I don't want to use the word trouble but I don't know what other you word to use uh because of not paying attention to their over the formula and uh it it is uh it's a big thing out there right now so We had asked for Mr. Macau to and
019Mrs. Cummings to brief us where we're at and what we think we're going to do. So, >> so I'll just generally um say a couple words and then kick it to Mrs. Cummings and let her elaborate. She is the one that prepared the document that is here before you and she's went back to um fiscal year 21 to show you historically where we have been at in regards to the funding formula and the number of professional and the number of service positions um that we are over that. So if you would first turn to the second page of the handout that I gave you, Mrs. Cummings have has prepared just a rundown of all of our positions that we have currently this year in 2526. And if you will look through there, she has went
020down professional personnel and we've got state aid eligible 88.95. We have the communities in school grant that has two. We have federal grants whether it be title one special ed or project aware. All of those federal grants total 8.55. And then we have other positions paid by the county that are professional, including the treasurer, the director of support services by 0.5. And then our child nutrition director and coordinator that comes to 2.83. And then we have other 67. We get to 103 professional positions. And then going down to service personnel, um we have a total of 71.66 and then she has summed those. We have one unsp unfilled speech vacancy that we still have posted. So she's added that down there to the 170 and comes up with 171 positions currently. And then if you
021will turn back to the front page, we've got, if you look at the second column from the right, that is currently as of June 30, 2026. Um, how many professional and how many service we would be over. And then finally, the total column on the far right is if we do nothing by end of fiscal year June 30, 2027, what we what we would be over the formula um if we do not do anything in subsequent riff and transfer seasons. So Karen, do you would you care to chime in and elaborate and then answer any specific questions that the board might have? >> All right. Um first off, I just want to u tell Mr. Muds appreciate you bringing this uh as a board agenda item just not really an item but an information because
022personnel is very important to have an understanding and keep that understanding uh ongoing. 85% of your budget is driven by personnel. So if one thing can get away from you, it's personnel. So um the form that's in front of you right now that actually came from the state department of ed. So everything in black ink from year 21 up through 25 was provided by the state department of education. And of course as Mr. Mets has already alluded they are doing lots of financial analysis right now because they have lots of counties in trouble uh from this form. what's highlighted in yellow and red ink is what I went in and actually um projected and put in for this year as well as for FY27 as to where we're going to be. So for FY26, the
023year that we're in. So what this is, this takes how many we actually have employed as of October the one of 25 and looks at how many we were actually allowed to be funded for this year. So on professional personnel, um 3.91 is how many we're over just the year that we're in. You add in the 2.83, that's personnel that are locally funded, we're at a total of 6.74 in professional staff being over for FY26. Likewise, on service personnel, we are actually funded for 60.7 positions for this year. Uh once we got all of our aids and everybody settled, as of October 1, we had 67.265 personnel employed, making an overage of around 6 and a half positions. So in total, between the professional and the service personnel, uh staff overages, we're at 13.3 over
024for FY27. If you look to the right of that, that number is big. I wanted it to be big because I need um attention on this because we have a very important large grant that's leaving us and as of right now, we've not done any action by board to do anything with those positions. So, should we choose to keep where we are right now, this is what we're going to look at. That project is project aware and it funds um 3.6 positions. So for FY27, the number allowed is 82.89. The number that we're going to have going into FY27 is actually 92.55 positions. That's because we have one speech position that's unfilled. So, we still have to account for that. So, we can't forget that that position's out there. So, I've added that on because
025for state funding purposes, they don't count that in their numbers. For us going forward, that position is still there. We've not abolished it by any means. It's still being posted out there regularly. So, we have to account for that. Plus, the 2.6 six professional staff that's in that Project Aare grant. So that makes us at 9.66 over. Add the 2.8 that's already locally funded. We're now at 12 12 and a half positions. Okay. On our service personnel, we are allowed 59.89. We currently have 68.26. 265. And that's because I added in the one position that's funded right now through project aare. We're we currently have 67, but if we don't do anything with that project aware position, that's going to put us at the 68.265 for an overage of 8.3. So you add your professional,
026your service together, we're now at 20.8 positions. our enrollment from last year uh we were at 862 headcount this year at October one for which these numbers are being based on we're at 831 so we're continuing to decline most likely we'll probably continue to climb next year uh based upon the other options that are available for folks to choose. So, this is where we are. >> Do we u is it okay if we're able to carry the funding of it or do we have to strictly stay by their numbers? >> No. Um as long as you've and this year is the first year whenever I do the budget this year for however many people we choose to have and to carry if we are not at zero um over here um being over I have
027to provide an explanation as to how we're going to fund >> um those positions. So as of right now it's like working a jigsaw puzzle. Um I've got all these notes of where I can take positions from. For example, I'm able to first off come up with about 7.3 different places I can get positions for personnel. 7.3 positions. I'm going to be able to get one aid job out of Medicaid. Medicaid shrinking. We used to be able to fund for two aids out of there. So, there's one. in our step 7b um with house bill I believe it's 206 gave us uh block grant is what they're called now that funding to where its purpose is for technology but we can use it for other items we've generally have held it to be only for
028devices and uh for um things that you can hold really used it for personnel So possibly exploring that for next year. >> How many is Sarah Karen? >> Two. Okay. >> Yeah. Two service. Um food service would take the 1.3 that's locally funded. Um that's generally within their food service program. So that's usually a given from each year. In step seven, I'll be able to get two two aids and one professional position within the step seven funding. So that would take care of five service overages and about 2.3 on professional. >> So we got three people if that still stays the same. >> Well, I mean we do have a reserve and fund balance. Um, so as long as we have a plan of addressing this, uh, we're definitely going to have to use some
029of our fund balance carryover in order to make it work because it's not going to work on the budget that's coming. So, if we have a plan going forward and not just simply ignoring this, then we're okay. But if we're going to go into this blind, I'm telling you, we can't we can't keep it up. So >> will be just like >> I mean >> you can look at the numbers going across. >> Yeah, we have sometimes been a little bit over what the funding formula was on service and for professional but we could not possibly sustain being 20 over on both of them. >> Karen, how many ghost students will we pick up? >> Ghost >> on 831. on the 831. I have that number. >> I like that term. >> Let me look.
030>> And I'm assuming your projections that you're giving us are based upon those ghost students being in there. >> Yes, the number allowed over here are based on that. But >> your your computations included those. >> Yeah, the computation does include the ghost students in there. Okay. But I can tell you how many they gave us here >> and that's all will change. >> Well, yeah. I mean, there's one is I believe it was a delegate that was talking about the counties getting under 1,400 getting more money than other counties. I'm just like, please don't cut it. But, you know, he wasn't happy about that. Um, so I don't know what this legislative session is going to hold. Here we go. So they gave us 237 students this year. Last year they had given us
031234. >> Okay. But that's figured into where we're at. So, >> yeah, the number allowed is based on adjusted enrollment. >> So, I mean, so we have a principal meeting. We've held two um principal meetings already. Uh we have another one coming up. I mean, things that they look at are ratios. I mean, for every uh 12 students in grades one through three. Now, that was a new legislation. After 12, you have to have an aid in the classroom. You know, grades one, two, and three, you can't have more than 25 students. So, that's a factor. Um, so all of those ratios and things come into play as personnel decisions are being made. But this just kind of gives you an idea where we are. Um, and then within the next month or so, Mr.
032Mac account will be coming back to you. >> So Karen taking the one out of Medicaid, two out of 7B and three out step seven. You're comfortable with that? >> Well, we still need to look. Um I mean that's only gives you 7.3 positions and we're at 20. So, um I mean it we could carry it. >> That still leads even if we did that. That's what three, four, five, six. >> Yeah. >> I mean, if you're comfortable with using our carryover, we could carry that. But it's better to take things in little bites as you go along because if we don't, you're going to have to take a big hit eventually. um to trim the workforce. There's no question >> from from what you said a couple months ago, it looked it looked to
033me like our our expenses were increasing and our income was not at the same rate. whenever we ended the year for FY25 um we ended the year with 400,000 to the good um for that given year's uh revenues minus expenditures. So we had 400,000 to add to our existing carryover. So our unreserved carryover that we're looking at is around 3.4 million >> but previously we had more to carry over. Is that correct? So that the carryover is getting smaller. Well, I think for several years prior to this, there was COVID funding that was added into the mix too that which which is gone, which kind of might and you correct me if you you disagree, but I think you can't compare the COVID years to a typical year with with that funding because that added
034a whole lot more money into the mix that's normally not there in a regular fiscal year. But that's where that's where counties are getting in trouble. >> That's where lots of counties got in trouble. >> They hired and and we hired two, but we hired those aids out of that co money. But then the bill come along that put those people in. So we didn't have to get rid of them. They we didn't hire extra people. We just carried those people forward, which was real good thinking. >> Um >> but that's where people are getting in trouble. you know that that they're not getting rid of people that they shouldn't say maybe that way get rid of but they haven't peered down as their money went down and and we need to do that. >>
035Yeah. Lots of counties they hired a lot of personnel out of those er uh funds and unfortunately they did not make provisions once the funding ended. Now, when our funding ended, I think we ended up shifting one person over and it was as a result of need. Um, we're not unlike almost all the other counties in the state. Special education is very expensive and um and is driving a lot of the costs um that we're seeing based upon what the requirements are and the regulations that we have to provide services to those students and that was the case with our ESF position that we had. So we had to bring that special education teacher back in to the county funded. Um >> so from last year to this year we had an increase in spending.
036Is that correct? >> That's Oh yeah, we did just simply because >> and was our increase in revenue uh on pace with the increase in spending. >> I'd have to do that calculation to show >> because I I thought it was not which means that then the lines are going to eventually cross. Eventually they are going to cross >> and then we would have to >> and yeah because insurance alone is going up. I mean, last year it was double digits, 14% increase in employer share. Um, just for a very basic uh zero years of experience service personnel like aid coming in that position, I have to allow for at least $50,000 uh simply because family insurance is almost $20,000 that the board has to pay out for it. So, so definitely costs are rising.
037There's no question about that. Um, now if we don't do something with this, we will definitely have to make serious looks at this for next year. Um, if we don't do anything this spring, but Project Aare alone is $475,000 grant and it funds 3.6 positions. Now point six of that is um for a psychologist position. So when we we've never had a psychologist before when it came on board and we employed the person we had project aware that picked up a portion and then the other portion was provided through a grant through Marshall University. Well that part has gone away. So now it's that's why it's 2.6. Um so 6 is still being funded with project aware. So that's going to come over to the county, but we still have two positions there along with
038one service. So we need to we need to start looking. Um and >> when those grants when those when we employ those positions, it was with understanding that it was grant money. >> Yeah, that's true. >> And that >> that's true. >> That when that grant money went away, those positions would go away. Now, that's easy to say two years back when we hired those people, but now today, it's it's come real. Okay, we're we're going to have to do something with those positions or we will the the trouble is and you guys know this is that it's not like if I run a business and and I, you know, cross that line to where I'm I'm dipping down my profits, I can just go back there and say, you know, we're going to miss
039you, but you're we have to do this now because we can't do it in December or in September When we see that we have a problem, we got to project far enough ahead to see that this is going to be a problem. We need to make sure the the boat >> right >> is right >> to realign the workforce. Right now, we're in that window of when you have to hold your hearings and when you have to take those personnel actions in order to get yourself where you need to be for next year. Uh you can't look back and wish you'd done it because you're not going to be able to fix it. So, we're in the window now. >> You know, people will look and say, "Well, you're carrying a $4 million um surplus."
040>> Absolutely. >> Why can't you keep these people? >> We can. >> Well, >> we can, but >> for a very finite period of time. >> All we're doing is kicking the can down the road for a very short period of time. >> Correct. Um so, do we have to make any cuts? No. Will you next year? Oh, yeah. You're going to have to start cutting. Um because it doesn't take long to eat at away at 3.4 million uh when you're when you've increased this much. >> So Mr. McCau, do you remember the dates or statutory dates? >> I believe that um it's on or before March the 1st. Okay. So that will be board meetings next month. And the other thing about March one is that's also whenever if anyone's thinking about retiring, they
041could give us their announcement and the board take action by March one and then we al the state provides for teachers anyway and we match it for service personnel a $500 bonus if they would tell us that by March one that they're going to retire at the end of the year, June 30. and that helps tremendously in these staffing decisions that we have to make. So that's another item that happens on March one. >> Also Karen, so when I'm looking at the sheet that you gave us, >> the first line is allowed under state for uh professional uh allowed under state funding and then the second line is And then the second line is uh actually employed with state funding. Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> So how can the state >> pay for
042more than they >> They're not. That's how many we have employed >> that meet their criteria of being a position that's eligible to be funded. So we have 92.55 positions for which um they if we had enough enrollment they could all have been funded but unfortunately based on our enrollment the state will only allow 82.89 of those positions to be funded because not all of our positions that we have meet the criteria for which the state will allow to even be considered for funding. >> Okay. So like for fiscal year 25 the state allowed 87.37 >> correct to be funded >> but then they >> we employed 89.5 personnel that met the definition of being eligible to be funded. >> So So we were two over. >> Okay. So that two over then came from
043county funding. >> Exactly. Yeah. Or >> or or >> or we use like what I what I just laid out is some of the places that I'm going to go to look for to actually pay for personnel. >> Yeah. It there's not you. So there's not anything inherently wrong with being over formula. >> No, there isn't. >> You can't you really can't run school system within formula. Where it gets wrong is when you no longer have the funds >> to pay that over time. We've always been lucky >> because our levy our levy pays doesn't pay salary but it pays for example technology. >> So we're able to use that 7B >> to pay for a person because we're using our levy money >> to to pay for technology. So, we've always stayed within our
044budget, but there comes a point where where like you tip. >> Yeah. >> So, what I'm what I'm curious is if if like I'm looking at the for uh 25, what's the difference between where the money comes for that 2.13 versus where the money comes for that 2 83? Are those two are those different pots of money? >> Not necessarily. It's it's both once you're over formula you it's up to the county then to decide where where are you going to pay for this from >> because the the 2.83 says local funds. >> Yeah. So then >> and that meets the definition. Um whenever we prepare prepare that certified list on October one, they have positions that automatically they say they look at they look at me and they say, "Oh no, we're not funding
045any treasur positions." So you have to locally fund my position, >> right? >> Um so that's like one I'm one of your 2.83 for locally funded positions. >> So if the the line above that the 2.13 >> Yes. Is that because that's not included in the 2.83 which says local fund. Where does that where do those funds come from the 2.13? >> The 2.13 and a 2.83. Once you're over you have that's what I'm going to have to submit to the >> So that's also local. So that's >> that's what they're saying. Yeah. So that's um >> because that's also local funded then >> because look how exactly cuz look they total those together and that equals 4.96. Look to the left. Right. >> Total number of professionals funded by the county board. >> Yeah.
046Four 4.9 the uh 4.96. >> There's some of them there's a there's a a pocket of them that >> that the state would pay for. >> The state would pay for >> Right. Exactly. Because they >> because our enrollment isn't there. >> The enrollment isn't there to allow it. So whether whether we're on target um or even below target because if you look at 630 of 24 >> Mhm. >> Look up there. I love that one. Look at that. 1.27 under. I think there was a tweak in the formula that year. They allowed more ghost students. >> So therefore, um we were actually under under the number that we were allowed, but they didn't penalize anybody for being under. So, we actually got additional monies in there for that year. And you'll see as they
047carry it down, what we were under by 1.27 on professional. We still have that local uh group that we fund, the 2.83. So, they netted them together. So, we really only carried one and a half positions that year on professional. >> But there are some positions no matter what your enrollment was that the funding formula is not going to fund. >> Correct. carriage position, which is again >> bizarre. You must have a treasurer, one of the most important people in your system, but no matter what, the state will not pay for it. >> It's interesting. >> It is. And they don't fund for like a director of um transportation, a profession. They fund actually 200 days, right, of a superintendent's contract. And that's something else to point out. >> On the professional side, no extended
048contracts are considered, no indexes that are given are considered. So this is just the base 200 day. So for Mr. Macau's position, he is a state aid eligible position. and the superintendent is, but it will only fund for 200 days of that. So, the county has to be able to provide for the other 61 days. >> So, then in this formula, does that additional days that he's employed reflect a partial like a a fraction of a number on number employed? >> It does not not on professional. >> So, how so where would that be reflected at then? because he's not the only employee that we have that that we fund for more days than the state allows, right? >> No. No, he's not. >> Maybe half a dozen. >> Yeah. I mean, >> waste. >>
049Mhm. We do. >> Okay. And and that's not reflected in these numbers, but it's reflected in the actual budget. >> On the service side, the state, you'll see that um >> um let me see on the first sheet that Mr. Mac account went over >> where we actually discussed you'll see on the service down there that I gave it to you in two different formats head count and then also an FTE count >> that's full-time adjusted and that's because the state aid funding formula provides for those extended contracts. So we actually headcountwise on service personnel have 62.6 six uh people employed once you look at their extended contracts. So that's headcount, body count. So now you actually look at their physical contracts that they hold. So a 261day person is actually 1.3. So it's like
050employing one and then a third of another. So once we adjust all of those contracts out, our 62 now becomes 67 people. Does that make sense? So on this on the funding formula for service only they will actually fund for the FTE of the actual contract but not on professional >> and daring on um with say you know why don't we just drop below and stay below then if you drop below what you're supposed to have as far as uh actual instructional people you actually get penalized more than what it is to you below they they put a penalty in there that you below an instructional >> and it's actually more than if you hired the person. >> It it's a it's a um crazy way to do business. >> It is. >> I don't
051question I have is how do you come up with how you have to really that's somewhere we got to go but that's something I need to know too. >> All depends on what >> Mr. from Macau will bring to us that that he sees that we can do without hurting um you know our academic program and how much money we have and uh I mean that's that's a hard >> thing to do. I understand basically >> well I think we we look at the grant funding that's going away as Mr. said the folks that bid on those jobs knew that they were contingent on that grant funding. So, I think that's going to be where we start and then I think we meet with the principles and we see what what else is feasible um
052to cut. But I think um how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. I think we're not going to cut we're not going to cut 20 people, but I think we've got to we've got to bring some decisions to the board to look at this. Um because if at the end of next year it's 20, as our enrollment goes down, at the end of the next subsequent year it's going to be higher and it's just going to keep getting >> the elephant's going to eat us. >> The elephant is going to eat us. So, I I don't have a set number of what I'm going to bring to you, but um within the next two board meetings that that will come before you. And um it's never easy to to riff a
053position and do that. And it's a very difficult decision for the board. But I think if we don't make some hard decisions and we start doing that now, it's only going to get exponentially worse. as years go down and and years tick away. So, it's it's never easy, but I I appreciate Mrs. Cummings drawing up the numbers and showing you where we're at fiscally with that. And as Mr. Med said coming into this, this is a timely issue. It's in the papers with counties being 140ome. >> Suddenly and surprisingly 140 positions over the formula and nobody knew about it. We want to be transparent with the board, transparent with the public. This is where we're at fiscally and this is um why we're going to be making some of the subsequent decisions that we make.
054>> They're over more than we employ. Is it? >> And guess what? The superintendent lost her job. >> And the treasurer lost her job. >> The treasurer lost her job. >> And under the new bill, the board president loses their position. If the new bill goes through, >> which it will, >> is it possible that you could uh tell me when those two lines are going to cross on uh the assuming trends stay the same where our increase in spending is going to uh cross that point? >> Sure. I mean, as the budget numbers still come in, because we just now have gotten the preliminary um numbers, but we don't have them all yet. uh we'll be able to have a pretty good idea whenever we get to budget season >> because that might uh
055set a time frame on how quickly all this has to be done without getting even more serious consequences. >> Well, the time frame is March. No, this No, I'm talking about the uh our increase in spending uh crosses or uh decrease in income. I'd like to know those >> the big bite that we can take is personnel 80. What did you say? >> It's around 85%. >> 85% is our personnel which has to that bike has to be taken by by April, you might as well say in order to get there. Now, Mr. Sherlock, I agree with what you're saying that there's other things that we could do. >> Uh, you know, to >> it would give us to know when those lines cross it would know time frame. >> Well, that was my second
056once we got past this. Any other questions on this? >> Yes. >> Okay. Also, uh, is, uh, would it be a possible course of action if, uh, when we get to having to do RIPS if we could reduce the extended contracts on some employees to prevent rips on as many employees? >> Um, the answer, you want me to answer that? The answer to that is yes, but you have to you can you can increase a contract of a person through just board action. Tonight we could make uh Mrs. K back there give her 260 contract. Okay, we can increase but in order to decrease that person's contract, we have to actually rip that person and then rebid that job with the lower contract. We just can't say you're not allowed to just say you're 240
057now. We're going to move you a 200. We actually have to rip them >> and get the job back out. That's 200 job. And they might get it back or they might not because then it falls into that whole >> who's ever in line. Am I Am I right on that Karen? >> You're correct. >> Yeah. So yes, the answer to that is yes. >> Yeah. So, so it might be a possible course of action um to prevent losing as many people, which like you said, then there's a chance that some people would lose those positions, but we could keep more positions possibly. >> Possibly if uh if we're making some of those choices, I'd like to see that as a something for us to consider so we can keep as many of our people
058as possible Yeah, there's um I'm trying to think back to if we ever cut contracts on people once we give them that contract. I don't >> I don't remember >> because it gets so >> Yeah, usually somebody's you cut it so blurry whether >> it it'd be contentious either way. But once we start talking about actually reducing the workforce, >> that's also going to be very contentious. >> Yeah, I've been there. >> Yeah, it's no fun. >> Um, but uh Karen, I I appreciate you doing this, Mr. Appreciate it. I I think that we just need to be as transparent as we can and uh you know, especially the board. Um, you know, I have I say this I have full trust in Mr. McCallen and Karen to do what we need to do to
059stay uh viable. So, we'll see what things come up. Uh, the second thing it it seems like um a lot of these counties that are getting um hit with this okay finance stuff is because they didn't have a clue what was going on. Now, I think you guys anytime that you have question will answer that and Mr. Count but Karen what could I don't want to give you more work but it might be >> okay what is something that once a month that we could have that would show us where we're at compared to where our funds are to where we're so we can see if we're healthy or not. Is there such a thing? >> Oh, absolutely. We can do um a monthly financial report. Uh we have one that comes off of Zoom.
060Um you probably know what that is, but yeah, there is a document that we can provide for that. That's no problem. >> You guys find that useful if you can look at that and say, you know, >> so we're not because what I hear from board members in other counties is that we didn't know that we were in trouble. Now, I have faith that Mr. county let us know we're in trouble and Cameron let us know we're in trouble but at the same time I' i'd like to be able to say well I saw those figures myself okay and yeah you know this doesn't look too good or are you okay >> yeah I'm fine with that >> can we do that >> yes absolutely >> and then that way uh if I have in
061front of me then I can ask you a question Karen what >> what's this mean or John what's this Yeah. >> Um because I know if you not been in the business, I mean it's it it's tough if to understand it, you know. >> It it's not Yeah, it's crazy the way it's done. So, okay. Any other questions or request? I just don't want to go before the state board, state superintendent to say, "Well, I just Yeah, I knew it. I just didn't care." Okay. I'd rather say that than say I didn't know. Okay. You know, that's why people elected us. Yeah. >> Okay. Very good. Any Thank you, Karen. >> You're welcome. >> As always, you make it easier to understand. and we appreciate that. You're >> welcome. >> But uh I I have
062a feeling there's a couple of superintendents and and finance directors wish that they had been a little bit more transparent with their board and >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Okay. We have no delegations tonight, so we're down to approval the minutes. Do I have a motion to approve the January 6th 2026 regular meeting minutes. >> So moved. >> Any corrections, comments, concerns? >> Wear none. We have a motion to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2026 meeting. All in favor say I. >> I. Say motion carries. I have a need a motion for the payment of the invoices the amount of 322,49781. >> So moved. >> Okay. For your consideration approval this evening, we have four runs of expenditures. The first on 12 2026 totals $1,854.94. Um noteworthy in this. It is primarily PEIA
063retiree billings. The next run on 17 2026 totals $48,76589. This is primarily Gordon Foods. The next run on 113 2026 totals $34,587.39. Noteworthy on this run we have man power for the primary center middle school and dental vision billings. And then finally on 114 2026 this run totals $237,28959. Noteworthy on this a big chunk of that is Matheni Motors for $153,46 for the new bus. And we have Southern Educational Services um in the amount of $24,12462 for math services. All of these runs of expenditures total $322,497.81. Any questions invoices? >> Again, this is something we do that all invoices. Any questions on >> here? We have a we have a motion to pay invoice amount $322,497. All in favor say I. >> I say nay. I motion carries. I need a motion to approve budget
064supplements. >> So move77, $14.98. Okay. So, we've got some supplements coming in. The first in the amount of $29,916. This is tools for schools grant and um for iPads. The next, excuse me, in the amount of $965. This is a WVDE grant for middle school writing training. Then the next in the amount of $38,61.98. This is gear up grant for postsecary activities. And then finally in the amount of $18,198 this is vocational funding state and federal. These supplements total $177,140.98. >> Any questions on budget supplements? >> I put my pad on top of it. Any question? Hearing? None. We have a motion approve budget supplements in amount of 177,140.98. All in favor say I. >> I. Post say nay. Eyes have it. Motion carries. Okay. We need a motion to approve budget transfers amount $222,637.31.
065>> M. Macau. >> Okay. three budget transfers for your consideration. The first in the amount of $184,5824. This is transfer from project aware services supplies and staff development. Next in the amount of $10,3527, this is transfer from state vocational funding for software and student testing. And then finally, in the amount of $28,020, transfer Medicaid for special ed services and bus aids. These three transfers total $222,637.31. >> Any questions on budget transfers? >> Hear none. We have a motion approve budget transfers amount $222,637.31. All in favor say I. I >> I oppose say nay. Eyes have it. Motion carries. Okay. No policies this evening. So we're down to personnel matters. First one is need a motion for the resignation to accept the resignation of Shaunie Hill volleyball head coach W County Middle School effected January 12th
0662026. >> So moved. Mr. >> Nothing to add her I except to thank her for her years of coaching for us. Appreciate the work that she did. But her letter is in your packet. Any questions hearing? None. We have a motion to accept the resignation of Shaunie Hill, volleyball head coach, Work County Middle School, effective January 12th, 2026. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos say nay. Eyes have it. Motion carries. Under employment, need a motion to approve the employment of Janet Moore, substitute 8 for 2526 school year, effective upon completion of her required paperwork. So moved. Commission. >> We need substitutes in all categories. Aids included. So happy to bring her application to you tonight. >> Any questions? Hear none. We have a motion to approve the employment of Janet Moore, substitute
067aid for 2526 school year effect upon completion of her required paperwork. All in favor say I. >> I. Post say nay. Eyes have it. Motion carries. >> Okay. And now we need a motion to approve the employment of Austin Wilson, substitute bus operator for 2526 school year effective upon completion of required bus training, background checks, and new hire paperwork. >> So move. >> Okay. >> So nothing to add other than, you know, we had a whole bunch of subbus operators on there and we've had several of them fill full-time positions. So, um, it is time to get a few more subs back on the list. >> Any questions? >> Hear none. We have a motion approve the employment of Austin Wilson as substitute bus operator for 2526 school year that'll be effective upon completion of
068his required bus operator training, background check, and new hire paperwork. All in favor say I. >> I. I. Post say nay. Eyes have it. Motion carries. Okay. I need a motion to approve the employment of I'm going to say Sheila. I'm not sure if that's how it's pronounced. Uh Cassell, a substitute bus operator 2526 school year effective upon completion of her required bus operator training background check and new hire paperwork. move. >> Her application is in your packet, but already an experienced truck driver just going back to get passenger endorsement to be able to drive bus for us. >> Very good. Any questions? Sherry, do you know how she pronounces that first name? >> Shayla. Okay. Okay. Okay, we have a motion approve the employment of Shayla Cassell, substitute bus operator for 2526 school year
069effect upon completion of required bus operator training, background check, and new hire paperwork. All in favor say I. I. >> I. Oppose say nay. Eyes have it. Motion carries. >> Okay. Now we need a motion to approve the employment of Jennifer Mallister, beginning teacher mentor for foreign language at War County High School. >> So move. We've had that posted for a while. I appreciate Mrs. Mallister finally bidding on this and filling that to give our foreign language teacher a mentor. So appreciate her bidding on that. Any questions hearing? None. We have a motion to approve the employment of Jennifer Mallister beginning and teacher mentor uh foreign language at War County High School. All in favor say I. >> I. Post say nay. >> Eyes have it. Motion carries. Okay. I need a motion to amend
070the the motion of January 6, 2026 of the resignation of Jamie Venoi to include her position as gifted education teacher for War County Schools and her extracurricular position as PBIS team leader at War County Primary Center under same conditions as the original motion of 1626. >> So moved. >> Any questions? So, I would just say I apologize for that oversight. Her letter did specify all of that, but when we put it on the agenda, we only put her teaching position. So, I apologize for that oversight. Any questions board? No. Okay. So we do have a motion to amend the motion of the January 6 20 26 of the resignation of Jamie Venoi to include her position as gifted education teacher for war county schools and her extracurricular position as PBIS team leader at War County
071High School under same conditions as the original motion of January 6th 20 26. All in favor say I. >> I post say nay. eyes have it. That was a mouthful. Um, okay. Uh, need a motion. It's a discussion. We really don't have a motion on there. Um, okay. Because this is a discussion. There's no motion here. >> Correct. >> Okay. Yeah, we probably should this been done this up. That's okay. >> Okay. Um let's I'm going to move that down to where we get uh after the next one because the next one is a motion. Okay. >> Okay. Need a motion to authorize the position of interventionist extracurricular assignment for county primary center. >> Commission account. >> Okay. We have had this similar position with the reading position at the primary center for some time
072but Mrs. Taylor has got a retired an experienced retired teacher who would be willing to come back a couple days a week and do math intervention with our students that need it and we have school improvement funds to pay for that. So I am asking the board to authorize this new um part-time position and it is for math intervention up to 20 hours per week at War County Primary Center. questions. I'm ashamed to say this. I did not look at the posted. Posting says 20 hours. >> It says up to 20 hours per week as needed at $30 per hour. >> Good enough. Any other questions? Hear none. We have a motion to authorize position of interventions extracurricular assignment for county primary center. All in favor say I. >> I. Post say nay. I have
073it. Okay. now need a uh we don't need a motion. We can just discuss that. If uh the board remembers last time Kenna was here, we talked about the vision. Okay. And whether we could do that for our employees and I know that uh Mr. Ken and Mrs. Cumins looked into that and they there was a memo from Mrs. Cumins, I think, right? Uh within your packet. Okay. Uh, so anybody who wants to start? >> Well, I'll just say I appreciate Kenneth thinking of our teachers with this. I think her heart was totally in the right place. If she's got to pay for the glasses in batches of 200 and then we don't have 200 students. Um, her heart was going to our staff. Would we be able to utilize that? But Mrs. Cummings did
074look into this and I think has found that this would be a taxable fringe benefit for our folks if we were to provide that. And I think when Kenna and nurse Cali sent this out, it was just like who who would take advantage of a free eye exam, free glasses? And I think a lot of folks said yes. But if you said, hey, this is going to be a taxable French benefit. Do you want to take on that tax liability for that? I don't know that nearly as many people would have been interested. So that's the the Reader Digest condensed version. Karen, anything you would like to elaborate on? >> The grant itself, as I understand it, is not going to run through the board of education. So whenever we're asked to provide this to
075the employees, the relationship changes. It's now employer and employee. Um we already offer a dental vision plan that is documented. It's within IRS guidelines and we provide that benefit already. So, if we provide something outside of this plan, it's going to be a taxable benefit to the employees because we're providing it as the employer. Um, had they provided it, it's different. These people are not their employees. Um, currently, I ran the numbers for 25 year, we paid out uh $14,618 in vision benefits um to our employees. Uh some of our benefits uh for vision, we provide eye exams um are covered. Um on prescription glasses, we have um $175 that we pay for a set of frames and like single lenses. So if you just went base, um >> it's kind of already there. >>
076We kind of already provide that. It's just a matter of whether or not they go and take advantage of it. >> Yeah, it was a good thought. You know, originally it was a good if if the grant would have paid for it, it'd been a really neat thing for our people. But I got to also thinking about this, Karen, if this wouldn't be considered a bonus and you can't do the bonuses. So, >> yeah, I did reach out to the state department of education. They concurred with me that it would be a taxable benefit. Um, however, as you know, they are kind of swamped right now and legal especially. Um, but I question whether or not we would even be allowed on the allowability part because usually unless it's expressly permitted in code, you're not
077allowed to do it. Like uniforms, it's there. Um, but I don't I don't know necessarily that this would be. Um, so if we if you're still interested in it, I think we would have to get a legal interpretation on the allowability of it. Definitely if we did, it would it will be a taxable benefit. Um, but if you wish, we can pursue it further. I I asked the state department, but I haven't gotten a response back to the allowability part, but um, if we wish to push it further, I can can ask Mr. account to spend some dollars researching that with bowls rice. >> So, >> well, >> can we do any more discussion here or is this >> No, no, just go ahead. >> No, I don't have any discussion, but I'm just saying
078do is this something we vote on or do >> No, none. We if we discuss and we ask Mr. Macau then to bring it back on another agenda with a price tag on it, what it costs after the legal interpretation then we would vote on but right now we're just having the discussion. It's on the agenda so we're allowed to discuss it. >> So and I would say this too while Kenna had several people that were interested in that initially. Okay. I think we would need to see if you're going to have to pay taxes on this who's still interested in it. And I doubt that very many people would be because you hear who who doesn't want a free eye exam and a free pair of glasses. Lots of people signed up for that.
079But if they knew that there was going to be a tax liability associated with it, I don't think nearly as many people would have been interested. >> Yeah. Especially when I already have the vision. >> Correct. >> Uh insurance that I can go and >> and take care. >> It's basically free also. Correct. free to the employee up to the dollar amounts that we provide. Yes. >> So, you're taking that into consideration. It would almost you would you would actually be paying more. >> Yeah. It it was a good thought, >> right? I was >> But it doesn't sound like it's something that we wish that we uh you know, we're just talking about budgets and stuff here. So, I'm sure it's something that that we want to get into. >> It's a little bit
080more than meets the eye. >> A little bit more. And that's why we have these people. Okay. to do that. Any other questions? There are no motion here. We're just discussing. But if we're done discussing, I'll move on. Okay. We have no volunteers or chaperones. So, we're down to information and we're under board concerns and we'll start with Mr. Stewart. Mr. L. None at this time, sir. Show. Yeah. Just uh follow up from the uh numbers with the primary school. If there's something different that we are doing that is increasing the success, I'd like to know what that uh I'd like to know what that change is because it's something we need to continue. >> Okay, >> Mr. M. >> Yes, I do have one thing. Um, my contract is set to expire on June
08130 of this year and in code on years where the superintendent's contract is ending, we have to do something with that. And uh, I'm to bring that back to you, my evaluation and contract negotiation order before March the 1st. So if it's if it suits the board, I can bring that back at one of the February board meetings. >> Yeah. Um so that uh Mr. P, if maybe um you can get Sherry to send us out uh because it'll be new uh that paperwork won't be looking at. We we did your goals already. This is the stat statuto ones where it's meets their needs or exceeds if you'd send that out to us and everybody look at it and then they can make their marks and everything and then when we come in we'll have
082that part of it done. >> Yep, >> I can do that. >> And then then um that and the contract are done in executive session. So we can either do the contract that night or bring it back. But go ahead and put it on the agenda. There's two separate things. Okay. Superintendent valuation one and superintendent contract two >> can do >> that way if there's some reason that we wish to hold on the contract. >> D I do have more of an announcement but I guess that would be a concern too uh to all the board members. Uh John sent out an email on this that got to have your ethics report sent in by February the 2nd and there's place right on your on your email that you send it uh electronically. And uh
083also if if the paper was correct, anybody's term is up this year, you ought to have be signed up by January 31st. >> That is correct. So, >> so and just for the studio audience out there, the paper had a typo in it. Mr. Moore's term is not set to currently expire. >> He's also covered two districts. Anything else? Pretty good. Hear nothing. I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. We are journ. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, Mr. Cummings.