The West Virginia Department of Education will continue to work closely with counties to address the financial impact of COVID-19 on school systems. Counties must consider both the direct cost as well as the future revenue implications.

Counties should perform a needs assessment to determine priorities for re-entry for the upcoming school year and the estimated cost of these priorities. It is important that counties continuously monitor their operating budgets and make adjustments as needed.

The information available on these pages will serve as a framework for the upcoming school year.

  • Ensure that all COVID-19 related expenditures are properly coded to cost center 4455 in WVEIS.

  • County collaborative early childhood teams should include planning for re-entry that addresses pre-k classrooms located in collaborative sites, as well as within school buildings.

  • Research all available funding sources to help address increased costs related to COVID-19 and determine if the county will apply for any available competitive grants.

  • Assess the additional funding requirements necessary to implement various re-entry models.

  • Align the funding needs with available funding sources to determine the financial impact moving forward and any budgetary shortfalls.

  • Order all necessary supplies and equipment that will be needed before schools can safely re-open. Work with vendors regarding delivery timelines.

  • Ensure all grant applications, Grants and Planning System (GPS) plans, etc. are submitted in a timely manner so that the documents can be approved, and the grant awards released before school opens.

  • Consider alternative financing options, such as lease purchase agreements, to the extent legally allowable, for certain COVID-19 purchases.

  • Consider lessons learned when planning future school trips when travel is again deemed safe, such as ensuring all deposits with vendors are refundable, requiring trip insurance for certain trips, etc.

  • Continuously monitor the county’s operating budget to ensure that local revenues are on-target and that expenditures remain within budgeted amounts.

  • Make operating budget adjustments as needed to address revenue shortfalls or increased expenditures in specific areas, including personnel.

  • Stay informed on the status of all waivers from state or federal laws and regulations.

  • Monitor student enrollment changes to anticipate any decreases in state aid funding and plan for any necessary personnel adjustments for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22).

  • Continuously monitor the county’s operating budget to ensure that local revenues are on-target and that expenditures remain within budgeted amounts.

  • Make operating budget adjustments as needed to address revenue shortfalls or increased expenditures in specific areas, including personnel.

  • When scheduling needed excess levy or bond levy elections, be aware of possible delays in elections due to COVID-19.  Allow sufficient time for excess levy renewal before expiration of existing levies.

  • Stay informed on the status of all waivers from state or federal laws and regulations.