Wood County Schools Finance Director Whitni Kines, left, presents a financial overview to Ron Tice, center, and Judy Johnson, right, and other members of the Wood County Board of Education.

Wood BOE discusses finances, construction

PARKERSBURG - The Wood County Board of Education met in regular session Tuesday.

Among the items discussed:

  • Finances

Finance Director Whitni Kines told board members officials must carefully monitor the district’s finances over the next few months as the COVID-19 pandemic has created several new expenses for Wood County Schools.

Kines said the school system has had to hire additional teachers, both full- and part-time, to help ensure the success of virtual school, and the need for increased sanitizing supplies and personal protective equipment has led to large expenditures.

At the same time, Kines warned, tax collections are down nearly 5 percent from this same time last year. 

“If our tax collections are off just 10 percent (for the year), that’s $4 million right there,” she said. “It is scary. This is what keeps me up at night.”

Kines said the school system does have some savings, but those could evaporate quickly if the district continues to see costs increase while funding decreases.

The school system also may see a decrease in state funding due to lower enrollment numbers and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on West Virginia’s budget. 

“We need to be flexible on our spending so we can meet the needs of our students,” Kines said. “We may have to have some budget reductions across the board.”

But, Kines added, actions taken in recent years by the school board to reduce expenses have helped the district's overall finances dramatically. Changes to the district’s dental plan, setting aside funding for future facilities projects and the consolidation of several schools has helped Wood County Schools reach a more financially stable position.

“We do have a bit of breathing room this year due to those changes,” she said. 

  • Facilities

Superintendent Will Hosaflook said materials delays due to COVID-19 are slowing some construction projects at Wood County Schools facilities, including the opening of the new middle school classrooms at Williamstown High School. 

Shipments of materials such as tile and electrical boxes have slowed progress at some sites, but officials are working with contractors and fire officials to open areas as quickly and safely as possible. 

The district is progressing quickly on installation of secure entrances, Hosaflook said, and will soon begin looking at projects at other elementary schools. 

The district also plans to announce a public hearing on Wood County Schools' new Comprehensive Education Facilities Plan, also known as the CEFP, in mid-October. The CEFP will guide facility usage, maintenance and construction for the next 10 years. 

  • School Re-entry

Wood County Schools continues to be ranked “green” on the West Virginia COVID-19 map, meaning stats show minimal community spread of the virus.

However, board members expressed concerns a lack of testing in Wood County may be hiding the true numbers. Similar-sized counties are testing at a much higher rate, they said.

The board Tuesday opted against moving to a completely in-person instruction format next week, instead staying with a blended learning model until more data is available.

Even so, Hosaflook said he has been visiting schools daily and has seen first-hand students and staff following the CDC guidelines and believes parents are encouraging students to wear masks and practice social distancing. 

“Parents, thank you, they are doing an awesome job of teaching those things at home,” Hosaflook said. “I have been so proud of everyone these past few weeks.”

Visit www.woodcountyschoolswv.com.