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It's only been a handful of years ago that Ohio County Schools spent $65 million in a year to educate students and operate facilities, school buses and the other items necessary for a public school district.
That was 2017. This year, that same budget is $89.3 million.
During that span, the number of students in Ohio County decreased by 550.
In 2017, to educate 5,269 students, the county spent $12,336 per student. In fiscal 2025, that cost increased to $18,923.50 per student for the 4,719 children enrolled in the system.
What changed?
For one, property tax valuations on mineral holdings saw a massive increase during that span as oil and gas operations came fully online. Home values also increased quickly. And as more money flowed in, government did what it does best -- found new ways to spend. Board of Education members even during this period raided the coffers of the Ohio County Public Library. All for turf fields. New locker rooms. And no noticeable improvement in test scores.
On Tuesday, board members approved next year's budget of $83.8 million -- a $5.5 million decrease from the current fiscal year. This is due in part to changes made by the Legislature to mineral rights valuations. But still, even if Ohio County Schools holds steady in its student count for next year, spending per pupil will be $17,757.99 -- more than $5,400 higher than just a few years ago.
It's past time governments learned to live within its means. Ohio County Schools, even with reduced funding, has more than adequate resources to do its constitutionally mandated duty of educating students. It's as simple as that.