Board approved 3/17/2026
Due to the enrollment decline, a spending freeze will be implemented effective 3/18/2026 and continuing through 06/30/2027, or until such time as the Board lifts the freeze. This freeze will in no way provide enough savings to cover the positions over the state aid formula and those that can be carried by the levy call. There will be an in-depth plan to reduce staff over the year and will do what is necessary to get staffing within formula for Personnel Season Spring of 2027.
What is not impacted:
School Levy Allocations – Fund 12. Any items or equipment for which the school has direction for expending will not be frozen.
810 – instructional supplies and equipment
811 – science supplies and equipment
812 – library supplies and equipment
813 – band supplies and equipment
814 – music supplies and equipment
815 – theatre supplies, equipment and services
816 – physical education supplies and equipment
817 – art supplies and equipment
818 – duplication, supplies, leases and equipment
820 – special education supplies and equipment
821 – guidance counselor supplies and equipment
822 – speech therapy supplies and equipment
850 – technology supplies and equipment
891 – academic and athletic transportation
892 – middle school athletic supplies and equipment
893 – athletic support services, supplies and equipment from the free gate admissions
896 – athletic facilities improvements, renovations and additions
Purchases using school in-house funds – those bank accounts that reside at the school level (includes faculty senate)
Student activities – including field trips, co-curricular or extra-curricular trips or activities as those are funded either through the excess levy or school accounts.
Student and staff safety issues
County Library, WVU Extension and United Technical Center support payments from levy call
Any grant-funded supplies, equipment or activities will not be affected – Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, Title I-D, Special Education (IDEA), Career Technical Education, etc.
Child Nutrition services to students
Consumable supplies used in providing direct services to students
Approved construction projects – partially funded by the School Building Authority or already under construction with signed contracts
All executed contracts for any service, including employment contracts.
The Areas of Impact Shall Be:
Vehicle purchases – if it can be determined that there is no other option, then it must be agreed to in writing by the Departmental Director, Superintendent, and the Treasurer.
Equipment purchases, unless fully grant funded – if it can be determined that there is no other option, then it must be agreed to in writing by the Departmental Director, Superintendent, and the Treasurer.
Overtime – Harrison County School policy 6000 indicates that overtime must be absolutely necessary and approved in writing. This approval must be given by the County Administration Department Heads.
Substitutes
Administrative offices (professional and service) substitutes will not be permitted, unless specifically approved in writing by the Superintendent.
Substitutes will not be afforded days that are not specifically entitled in code, estimated savings of $200,000. Will need to amend and communicate Harrison County Schools administrative guidelines 3439.1 and 4439.1. This measure could not be implemented until July 1, 2026.
Contracted services – must be evaluated to determine their need or if they can be performed in-house. If it can be determined that there is no other option, then it must be agreed to in writing by the Departmental Director, Superintendent, Purchasing Director, and Treasurer.
Consumable supplies and furniture – will not be approved unless it is determined by the Departmental Director and Purchasing Director that there is no other option.
Blanket purchase orders will be minimally used from this point forward. Must be able to identify the specific items needed on each request.
Out-of-county travel (including out of state) for employees will be greatly scrutinized to ensure that it is necessary for the position and in the most economical way.
Supplemental days, hours paid to be added for work outside of the workday or contract outside of summer school and/or summer facility work crews.
Exchange days: The use of exchange days and/or comp time will be scrutinized.
NTID will require that all employees report to their work locations or to use a leave day. This will ensure that all employees work their contracted days. This follows the current Harrison County State Plan that employees report 9-2.
This may only generate between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in savings. This in no way offsets the millions (estimated to be approximately $10,000,000) of dollars consumed by carrying positions in excess of the state aid formula and the approximate positions (160) that the levy can fund.