Kate Shunney

Morgan County school officials took their first look at next year's school budget during a work session last Thursday, March 19.

Superintendent David Banks and Treasurer Nancy White presented the draft of a $27 million budget to school board members. Last year's school budget was $26.4 million.

Morgan County School Board members presented several "Extra Miler" awards to those who have made a special impact on Paw Paw's students, including long-time school board member Margaret Zembower, at Paw Paw School on Tuesday, March 17.

Of all the hurdles a kid might have to overcome as they make their way through school – shyness, trouble with math, peer pressure – not having a permanent place to lay their head at night is surely one of the toughest to overcome.

In Morgan County, school officials are aware of nearly 25 students who fit the federal definition of "homeless" – students who are living temporarily with family or friends, living in homes without running water or heat, living in campers or other vehicles, or moving around from home to home every few days.

The Morgan County School Board is preparing to face upcoming budget decisions in a series of workshops and meetings that will culminate on April 21 with the board's final decision about the special levy rate for next year.

For most Morgan County property owners, the special school levy accounts for 37% of their total tax bill.

Winchester developer Sovereign Homes will seek approval of the Morgan County Planning Commission to build a 434-unit subdivision in southern Morgan County. A hearing about the development will take place March 24 at 7 p.m.

The phased preliminary plat hearing is the first of its kind since the Planning Commission added the extra permit step for developers wanting to build projects over several years.

The Boys and Girls Club in Morgan County is facing some tough budget times like many local non-profits, but Director Chris Risinger said the club won't be closing its doors.

In order to deal with a drop in significant grants and overall contributions, the Boys & Girls Club has taken a few "proactive" steps, said Risinger.

Sometimes getting what you need starts with knowing what you've got.

That's the simple idea driving a new study by the Morgan County Economic Development Authority (EDA).

Each spring, Morgan County students in grades three through eight and high school sophomores take the WESTEST (West Virginia Educational Standards Test) to evaluate their mastery of academic subjects.

Test results are used by local teachers and administrators to judge their progress on federal education standards, known as No Child Left Behind. Local scores are also compared to other West Virginia school systems and reported to all parents.

A public hearing about proposed changes to the county's floodplain ordinance on Tuesday, February 10 attracted few comments, mostly from long-standing opponents of stricter building rules near Morgan County's waterways.

The Morgan County Commissioners will take a final vote on the county law at their March 12 meeting.

Morgan County Schools' Maintenance Supervisor Alston Yost briefed school board members on recent efforts to fix a failing septic system at Pleasant View Elementary School in eastern Morgan County.

At the February 3 board meeting, Yost said the 30-year-old system has backed up on several occasions in the last few months, and was requiring more and more frequent septic pumping.