Greenbrier County Schools (GCS) is sharing information about enrollment and funding changes affecting the county’s public schools and school systems across West Virginia.
Superintendent Jeff Bryant explains, “Greenbrier County Schools (GCS) is committed to keeping families, staff, and community members informed about the financial and enrollment factors affecting public education in our county and across West Virginia. We remain focused on transparency, responsible budgeting, and providing high-quality educational opportunities for all students.”
Greenbrier County, like most West Virginia counties, has experienced a sharp drop in student enrollment over the last 10 years, losing around 750 students. Enrollment decreased by roughly 168 students this year. The number of students enrolled is the basis for West Virginia’s state school funding formula. The decline in enrollment results in reduced state funding.
Public schools have suffered due to ongoing enrollment declines, the expiration of pandemic relief funds, and the state’s outdated education funding formula, which has not kept pace with current needs. Additionally, the Hope Scholarship program is facilitating the transfer of more students from public schools to private, charter, or homeschool options, along with the public and state financing that accompanies their enrollment. Several public schools in the state have had to close or consolidate due to enrollment and funding challenges.
County school systems rely on federal, state, and local money to operate and are required to comply with state laws governing budgeting, hiring, instruction, and school operations. These laws help ensure accountability for county school districts, but they do not apply to charter, private, or homeschool programs.
GCS Chief School Business Official Kasandra McClung states, “I always encourage people to contact us with any questions they have about how school funding works because it can be complicated. For example, Greenbrier County’s school excess levy rate is 60%, while many counties have a 100% levy in place. In Greenbrier County, local levy funds support school safety, student support programs, the continuation of art and music programs, and several employee positions that are out of formula – meaning they are not covered by state funding. However, the levy funds do not cover all staffing needs outside the school aid formula – especially in large rural counties like ours.”
Each year during personnel season, GCS reviews staffing levels. Some adjustments may be needed to align the number of employees with the number of students and the available funding.
Greenbrier County Schools understands that people may have questions about staffing changes during personnel season. These decisions are based on student enrollment and state funding requirements. The district follows a careful, state-guided process each year and works to limit disruptions for students. GCS has met the state’s required minimum carryover threshold since 1996 and is expected to meet the requirement again this year.
Superintendent Bryant adds, “Personnel season is always challenging and sometimes requires very difficult decisions. Even as we face declining enrollment and the decreased funding ramifications that come with it, we remain committed to providing excellent educational opportunities for every student in Greenbrier County.”
On behalf of the Greenbrier County Board of Education, School Board President Jeanie Wyatt states, “This board has a long history of strong financial leadership and making decisions that are in the best interest of students, staff, and the stability of our school system. The enrollment issue and decreased funding present real challenges for us, but we will continue working with Superintendent Bryant to ensure that our decisions are responsible and centered on what is best for our students and community.”
