Amendment 4 Provides
Accountability and Allows More
Input from Parents
Like most parents of school-aged children, I take an active interest in their education. We discuss assignments, we work on homework together, and I pay attention to the materials that get sent home.
My children, like most West Virginia children, also have been blessed with amazing teachers at every level. I’ve never felt in the dark about anything, but sadly, that’s not the case for all parents. Some have expressed their concern about what is being taught to their children and what is happening in their children’s schools.
On November 8, voters will have the opportunity to make a change to our Constitution to hold those who approve school policies accountable for their decisions. Amendment 4 on the November 8 General Election ballot in West Virginia clarifies that the rules and policies set forth by the State Board of Education are subject to legislative review, approval, amendment, or rejection. Rules proposed by all state agencies, boards, and commissions – except those of the State Board of Education – are already subject to legislative review and approval. Passage of this amendment will simply allow the proper oversight and accountability of rules put forth by the State Board of Education to be included like the others.
The forefathers of our state, just like the forefathers of our country, placed the responsibility of making laws in the legislative branch of government. The executive branch of state government, which includes boards and commissions, sets forth rules and regulations for the operation of their agencies that affect the citizens of West Virginia. In this case, state Board of Education rules mandate the way schools are operated in our state and what educational content is taught to our children.
In West Virginia, state agencies and boards can only set forth rules when they are given direction through state law by the Legislature. Through this process, these agencies make rules and regulations that carry the full weight of state law. The Legislature then ensures that the lawmaking authority delegated to those agencies and boards have the proper oversight by the branch of government tasked with making law – the Legislative branch.
While the State Board of Education is comprised of members that are appointed by the Governor, the Legislature is made up of members who are directly elected by the people. Citizens have the power to vote for or against members of the Legislature if they pass laws that do not fit their values and expectations.
While members of the county Boards of Education are elected by the people, the citizens of the state do not have the ability to vote members of the State Board of Education out of office if they create laws, policies, and regulations that do not meet their standards. Giving the Legislature the ability to have full oversight of the rules written by the Board places the accountability of those rules back into the hands the people of our great state.
Many citizens across our state have expressed their concern over some of West Virginia’s educational standards, policies, or instructional materials. By voting for Amendment 4, you can put a process in place to ensure oversight of these things by elected officials who are held accountable to you, the voter.
Vote for Amendment 4 on November 8 to ensure that the curriculum, policies, and standards set forth by the West Virginia Board of Education have the oversight and accountability that the citizens of the state expect and deserve.
Senator Amy Nichole Grady, R-Mason, is the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. She is a fourth grade teacher at Leon Elementary School. She represents the Fourth Senatorial District, which includes all of Mason county and parts of Putnam, Jackson, and Cabell counties.
B.O.E. Levy
Dear Editor,
One of my major complaints is the taxation without representation.
The Board Of Education has a levy to be put on the ballot this year.
Question. Has the Board Of Education advertised the levee? Are you expected to vote for the levy blindly? Has the Board offered an explanation of the impact on an already stressed economy? Do they care?
Question, would the Board need more money if they sold the old equestrian center? That is just a dollar sucking propitiation at best.
How many citizens will benefit from the expense of maintaining and operating this facility? Typical of government is to waste money on futile experiments and projects not of benefit of the mass.
Now, when I was in charge a public utility, it was explained to me that no government entity should make money or turn a profit. The goal is to not lose or make money. Zero loss or gain means the budget was satisfactory. Also, any surplus or unused revenues considered or deducted from the previous years budget.
If a board approved a budget for the fiscal year and came up short the following the year an appropriate budget increase would be feasible.
However, if the a surplus was appropriated and not used the following year would not be increased. If seems standard operating procedure to justify the budget is to “waste” budget through frivolous spending. Such as paying an absorbent price for an equestrian center and it’s cleanup.
On the ballot calls for $11,580,104.00 annually for five years. Or $ 57,900,520.00 for a five year total.
What is not explained is what do with a surplus if the project receives a grant. That would lead to a surplus requiring the board to expend that money to justify the budget.
Question. How did the Board Of Education afford the $800,000.00, ($600,000 for the equestrian center and almost $200,000 for cleanup)?
The average property value per acre was $1,100 per acre.
The equestrian center consisted of some 124+/- acres. $600,000.00 divided by 124 acres equals $4939.00 per acre. (That’s not taking the buildings and other previous improvements in to account.) But remember the $180,000.00 paid for cleanup.
If the Board Of Education had a project under consideration for it’s budget. And the money appropriated for that project and the project qualified for a grant the board would have the money for equestrian center.
Some who have bought property in Doddridge County and working and renting out of Doddridge County compliment the county for its beauty and talented populous get penalized for their purchase by being categorized class III. We pay a higher rate of tax though we get no benefit from the board of education.
That is taxation without representation. It can also be considered discriminatory based origin. Higher taxes for not being present.
The Board of Education of the County of Doddridge may reduce the maximum rates in any given year or years during the term of this levy after determining the sufficiency funds for school purposes for the next ensuing tax year.
Personally, my taxes by the DC B.O.E. has only gone up and never stayed the same or lessened.
If I were a voter in Doddridge County, the DC B.O.E. would never receive a vote of approval from me for the biased taxation.
Ladies and gentlemen of Doddridge County I assure you I cherish the people of Doddridge County and the beauty of its assets.
Lloyd Brightwell