Jefferson County School Board Hears Public Outcry Over Proposed Cuts to Band, Sports Programs; Approves Routine Items

Call to Order and Opening Remarks

Board President Kathy Skinner opened the meeting and addressed the large audience gathered in response to proposed budget cuts. She explained that the board had not yet received the 2026-27 budget or the reduction-in-force (RIF) list, noting the first formal budget meeting is scheduled for May. She said state law requires the administration to notify staff by April 1 if their positions could potentially be changed, but many such notices are later rescinded.

Skinner outlined key financial pressures facing the district: the state aid formula retained $25.3 million of Jefferson County's locally generated tax revenue; the legislature did not pass locality pay; neighboring Maryland and Virginia raised starting teacher pay above $60,000; and the district has paid more than $4 million to the HOPE scholarship program. She asked the audience for patience and assured them their concerns had been heard.

Beacon Awards

The board presented its second annual Beacon Awards, with each board member selecting one honoree:

Larry Willingham (nominated by President Skinner) – Transportation Coordinator, recognized for operational excellence and supporting students experiencing housing instability.
Penny Smoot (nominated by Vice President Upson) – Bus driver, recognized for protecting a student in an extraordinary situation and continuing to support that child in the days that followed.
JP Lynch (nominated by Member Ogden) – Jefferson High School band director of 18 years, recognized for growing the band program and retiring after building one of the largest programs in the state.
Teresa Holmes (nominated by Member Bratton) – Founder of the Boots on the Ground Leadership Academy, recognized for community leadership and creating the first Black Policy Day in the Eastern Panhandle.
Jefferson High School Air Force Junior ROTC (nominated by Member Joy) – Recognized for academic excellence, community service, and a perfect inspection score; the unit has raised more than $600,000 for the county shoe and coat fund over 24 years and placed seven cadets in U.S. service academies in 2025 alone.

Brigadier General David V. Cochran of the West Virginia Air National Guard attended to deliver a proclamation from Governor Patrick Morisy recognizing the JROTC program.

Student Recognitions

Eight Jefferson High School students were recognized as members of the 2026 West Virginia Music Educators Association All-State Choir: Charlie Sutherland, Christine Larson, George Sutherland, Vanessa Ortiz, McKay Colrin, Noah Muscleman, Grady Markin, and Bjorn Opsith.

Principals from three schools recognized all-star staff members:

Blue Ridge Campus: Barbara Jones (teacher) and Ellen Harter (custodian)
Charles Town Middle School: Chris Man (teacher) and Jamie Huddle (cafeteria manager)
Jefferson High School: Mrs. Smoot (special education teacher) and Betsy Doy (cafeteria worker)

Approval of Minutes

The board voted on approval of minutes from the regular board meeting held March 23, 2026.

Vote: Passed unanimously.

Public Comment – Proposed Budget Cuts to Sports and Band Programs

More than 30 speakers addressed the board over approximately two and a half hours. The overwhelming majority opposed proposed cuts to middle school sports programs (football, volleyball, cheerleading, cross country, basketball, track) and reductions to assistant band director contracts and summer programming hours. Key themes included:

Middle school sports and band provide structure, accountability, and a sense of belonging, particularly for students who struggle academically or socially.
Several speakers said their children's grades and behavior improved directly because of participation in these programs.
Speakers noted Jefferson County's band programs are among the largest and most decorated in West Virginia, with Jefferson High School's marching band expected to grow from 174 to over 214 students next year.
Multiple speakers warned that cutting summer band contracts would make band camp and the fall marching season unworkable and could pose student safety risks with one director managing 200-plus students.
A petition opposing the cuts had gathered more than 1,670 signatures in under two weeks.
Speakers also opposed proposed cuts to middle school foreign language programs and extended contracts for CTE and agriculture teachers.
Several community members called on the board to pursue a special legislative session and urged residents to hold state legislators accountable at the ballot box.
One speaker, a recently retired 38-year Jefferson County band director, said every secondary school in the county had been recognized at the West Virginia Music Educators Association state convention for the past four consecutive years.
A sophomore student reported that the assistant band director position had been restored during the school day but expressed concern that summer pay cuts remained on the table.

No formal vote was taken on any budget or staffing matter. Board members confirmed they had not yet received budget documents and said those decisions would come in May.

Consent Agenda – Personnel Recommendations

Chief Human Resources Officer Amy Lauren presented personnel recommendations with no changes from the submitted list.

Vote: Passed unanimously.

New Business – Elementary Health and Arts Instructional Materials Adoption (Public Comment Period)

The board received presentations from the elementary instructional materials committee on two curriculum adoptions:

Art of Education – A comprehensive K-5 visual arts curriculum aligned to West Virginia art standards, providing vertically aligned lessons, assessments, and professional development resources. Committee members noted teachers currently build all materials independently, leading to inconsistencies across schools.
The Great Body Shop – A K-5 health and wellness curriculum covering 10 health standards through monthly themes, weekly lessons, and family take-home materials available in multiple languages.

The board was asked to place both curricula out for public comment before any adoption vote.

Vote: Passed unanimously to place elementary health and arts instructional materials out for public comment.

Board Member Comments

Member Ogden thanked the public for attending, emphasized the importance of extracurricular programs in distinguishing public education, and called the state's uniform funding formula unfair to growing counties like Jefferson.
Vice President Upson said all constituent communications mattered to him, noted a middle school student approached him at church to express concerns, and committed to asking tough questions when the budget is presented.
Member Bratton thanked the community and pledged to make decisions that protect students and staff.
Member Joy moved to add a future agenda item for discussion and possible action on qualifications for board officer positions, expressing concern that members with no board experience had been appointed as officers in recent election cycles. The motion was seconded.

Vote on motion to add board officer qualifications as a future agenda item: Failed 3-2.

President Skinner congratulated Beacon Award winners and thanked the public and staff for their engagement.

Superintendent's Comments

Superintendent Bishop noted the district currently funds 219 positions above the state formula at a cost of $13.5 million in local funds, supported largely by the excess levy. He said the district's budget is nearly 80% personnel, making it difficult to reduce spending without affecting staffing. He outlined financial pressures including a $100 million state investment in the HOPE scholarship, a 3% teacher pay raise that is largely absorbed by PEIA health insurance costs, rising operational costs, and declining enrollment (from approximately 9,000 students in 2019-20 to about 8,200 today).

Bishop announced a mass reunification drill involving Wildwood Middle School students, parents, law enforcement, and WVU Medicine scheduled for April 22, 2026, using a nearby park as the reunification site.