Statement by Frank Devono Jr – President of Harrison County Board of Education
The West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Accountability presented their findings based upon an on-site review earlier this year. The result of their actions are to intervene by taking partial control over the district. This measure is understandably a disappointment to our entire school system, the community, and most especially to the board members. We wholeheartedly acknowledge and respect the authority of the West Virginia State Board of Education and the Office of Accountability, and unequivocally, we remain committed to collaborating with the Department of Education to address the concerns identified in its report.
The responsibility of elected leadership is to focus on solutions facing the challenges of factors that influence system wide changes. We board members strive to provide open and honest information to the public and to all employees of the system. Board meetings are live streamed and community members, parents, and students are invited to speak as a delegation to express their concerns. Students and all board personnel accomplishments are valued and many receive recognition at board meetings.
Sadly, Harrison County Schools’ student enrollment has declined by more than 400 students between the 2024 and 2025 school years and has declined by an alarming 1,800 students since 2019. Because state funding is distributed to the county based upon student enrollment therefore, this formula means “fewer students equal less state aid” to the county. Despite increasing operational costs, we shall continue with our diligent responses to funding for operations. These decisions are never easy. Board members understand the impact of reduced funding for personnel and programs. They affect employees, schools, and communities that we care deeply about. Nevertheless, they are necessary steps toward creating a financially sustainable school system while preserving as many classroom positions and student program and learning opportunities as possible.
From 2024 to current day, our educational leadership has recognized and acknowledged how declining enrollments impact changes in the state aid formula. Thus, requiring us to implement new planning strategies to enforce difficult financial compliance decisions. For two years, our team has addressed ways to comply with maintaining a balanced operation. Today’s report reminds everyone involved in this process that “change is a process and requires time, care, cooperation, understanding, and persistence.” Throughout the past two years, board members, along with our entire school system have carried out the following measures towards achieving necessary changes:
• Reduced costs through retirements, employee transfers, attrition, school consolidations.
• Eliminated approximately140 positions without firing employees. (RIF)
• Maintained programs and analyzed student/teacher ratios
• Established a countywide spending freeze affecting vehicle and equipment purchases, overtime, substitutes, contracted services, supplies, travel, etc…
• Recent consolidations of high school, middle and elementary schools Community and School System Assurances:
• Be confident that every Harrison County school board member comprehends the seriousness of
the Office of Accountability’s findings, regarding enrollment trends and the impact on county operations continuing to maintain longterm sustainability of the public’s funds.
• Rest assured we will continue to work diligently with all stakeholders, as we have for the past 2 years, to address all factors impacting students, teachers, and all personnel.
• The board members have previously entrusted the superintendent and the instructional leadership team to continue evaluating more, (ex: secondary instructional schedules, aligning staffing with enrollment). These efforts have been discussed in public board meetings should
be part of the long-term sustainability strategy and planning. Something that has already been discussed openly Additional Financial Assurances:
• Harrison County School system is not financially mis-managed and is financially solvent.
• The county continues to maintain a positive unrestricted fund balance, which is being used to provide financial stability while long-term changes are discussed and implemented in a deliberate and responsible manner rather than through sudden reductions that would unnecessarily disrupt students and employees.
• In March of 2026, The Harrison County Board of Education received a positive independent audit from the WestVirginia State Auditor’s Office. The audit presented no findings, and concluded that “the board’s financial statements were fairly presented in all material respects”. The report also stated that the board’s overall net
position increased by more than $6 million during the fiscal year. The audit also reflected a healthy unrestricted fund balance available to support operations while long-term adjustments are implemented. If there had been any known concerns about the financial stability of the county the State Auditors Office is required to disclose those items and the issues in their report. No such disclosures were made indicating Harrison County School is in immediate financial distress
• The school building authority has approved millions of dollars designated for capital projects that required substantial local matching funds to complete. There are additional projects currently
in progress that are allocated in capital improvement funds.
• The above findings demonstrate that Harrison
County schools have “maintained sound financial stewardship while confronting significant demographic and funding challenges.” Important Community Support for Public Education:
• Another important part of this discussion is the support our community has consistently demonstrated for public education.
• It is crucial to understand that the Harrison County excess levy has allowed our system to provide educational opportunities and staffing levels beyond those funded by the state aid formula. According to the Office of Accountability, approximately 150 positions currently exist because of local levy support. Our citizens have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to invest in our schools, our employees, and, most importantly, our students.
• At the same time, that local levy funding alone cannot permanently offset the long-term effects of declining enrollment. That is why the board, and the superintendent have been reviewing options and brainstorming ideas, to reduce staffing responsibly via attrition, retirements, transfers, vacancy elimination, and, if necessary, reductions in force.
Conclusion and Final Remarks:
The Office of Accountability’s action by the West Virginia State Board does not change our commitment to our students and our community.
The Office of Accountability’s report identifies governance, operational, and special education matters that deserve careful attention. We will review each recommendation thoroughly and work with the West Virginia Department of Education to strengthen our governance practices and ensure that every decision continues to place students first.
Leadership is tested during difficult moments—not by avoiding challenges, but by confronting those challenges with honesty, professionalism, and determination.
That is exactly what I plan to do.
Our employees, our students, our families, and our taxpayers deserve nothing less.
Frank Devono Jr.
President
Harrison County Board of Education
Response to Office of Accountability
