Hancock County Schools Superintendent Dan Enich, at left, and Assistant Superintendent Dave Smith led an informational session, held Wednesday at Weir High School, in relation to the school district’s proposed bond levy. (Photo by Craig Howell)
WEIRTON — In an effort to educate the public on the purpose of a proposed $10.5 million bond levy, Hancock County Schools officials held the first of two informational sessions Wednesday at Weir High School.
“I’m not here to campaign for it. I’m here to answer questions,” explained Superintendent Dan Enich.
Outside of school officials, only two residents attended the session Wednesday, held in the high school’s theater. A second session has been scheduled for 6 p.m., Oct. 23 at the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center.
The proposed bond levy, to raise up to $10.65 million over a period of up to 10 ¢ years, will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot in Hancock County. Enich explained its roots are set within a pyrite remediation project needed at Oak Glen Middle School, which has an estimated cost of almost $2 million, but the majority of its focus is on improving security measures within the county’s school facilities.
“One of my main things has always been safety,” Enich said, adding it has been one of his priorities since becoming superintendent in 2023. “It should be anyone’s goal.”
Enich noted Hancock County Schools has 3,337 students, approximately 260 teachers, along with service personnel and administrators, with nine facilities. In the spring, he said, a needs assessment was conducted on each area of the system.
“We had a checklist and went around to every school,” he said, noting needs were found in each building.
If the levy is approved by voters, taxes would be collected at a rate of 3.82 cents per $100 of assessed value on Class I property; 7.64 cents per $100 on Class II property; and 15.28 cents per $100 on Class III and Class IV properties. According to figures provided during Wednesday’s informational session, this would result in a cost to the average taxpayer of $3.83 per month, or $46 per year, based on preliminary estimates.
Through the funds raised by the sale of bonds, which then would be paid off through the levy, each school will receive updates in security measures and infrastructure improvements. This will include weapons detection systems, cell phone communication upgrades, visitor identification systems, panic button systems, vestibule updates with secure entrances, security lighting and fencing, replacement of fire alarm systems where needed, and additional security cameras.
In addition, the levy would provide funding for the Oak Glen Middle pyrite remediation project, which previously was awarded $978,000 from the West Virginia School Building Authority, with plans to install safe playgrounds at all three elementary schools, school audio upgrades, theater improvements at the high schools, as well as paving and guardrails, roofing repairs, HVAC upgrades, concrete, elevators and signage at specified locations.
Enich noted some things listed in early drafts of the levy, such as new tennis courts for the high schools and additional funds for other athletic facilities, have been removed from the levy.
“Everything in there is relevant and has a core value going forward,” Enich said.
The residents in attendance questioned the need for another levy – noting there already is an excess levy and another bond levy, as well as the school levy required by state code – and whether projects would be able to be addressed through existing funds.
Director of Finances Joe Campinelli explained, the school system is estimating yearly carryovers of about $1 million moving forward, which must be kept in a contingency line item to meet state regulations. In addition, since the proposal is a bond levy, it would be limited to the 10 ¢ years term, and if the targeted funds are raised early, then the levy would not be collected.
chowell@weirtondailytimes.com