Brooke officials change polling places, hear from school superintendent
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WELLSBURG --The Brooke County commissioners announced a change in polling locations for the upcoming county school levy election.
Polling has been moved from the Follansbee Community House to the Follansbee Fieldhouse for county residents voting in precinct 32A and 33.
Early voting for the levy is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Feb. 20 at the Brooke County Courthouse, and regular voting will be held 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Feb. 23.
Jeffrey Crook, Brooke County’s interim schools superintendent, attended the commission meeting Friday to discuss the levy.
“Remember it (the levy) is for the kids,” said Crook. “This is a renewal. Taxes will not go up.”
Crook noted that the Brooke County Board of Education will be transparent with community members.
“We’ll give them anything they want to know about books, finances -- every single purchase order if they want it,” he said. “We want to be real transparent with the funds, and make sure all of it is going where it’s supposed to go -- to the kids and for the staff, to make sure they have what they need in the classrooms.”
Wellsburg Police Chief Rich Ferguson also spoke about the levy.
“With the levy coming up, there are so many segments,” he said. “One thing you all probably know is, one of my officers is a PRO at Brooke Middle School. The city of Wellsburg will not be able to financially support through our revenue budget a PRO officer, and he’ll have to come back with me. It costs me money basically to have him there, but it is well worth it for protection.”
Ferguson said he is not trying to use a scare tactic.
“It’s the real deal,” he said. “It will be gone, that’s what we’re facing.”
In other matters, Brooke County Rotary Club member Tim Hooper announced the club will be purchasing four LED lighted vests and four lighted batons for those directing traffic between the middle and high school.
“We are concerned about their safety,” said Hooper. “Our club feels it is a small part we can do to help the school system out, so the guys are safe and the students are safe.”
(Linder can be contacted at tlinder@heraldstaronline.com)