As the second largest and fastest growing school district in West Virginia, Berkeley County Schools (BCS) serves 19,679* students through 32 school locations. Due to the area's growth and increasing population, the district is facing substantial student enrollment growth. A 2021 study conducted by Business Information Services, LLC., projects Berkeley County Schools to add nearly 4000 students by 2031. (View this enrollment study located on this webpage within Additional Resources).
The most recent school bond ($51.5 million) to address enrollment growth and capacity was approved by the voters in 2009. It will expire in 2025. This same bond was refunded and refinanced in 2020 to save interest costs.
The proposed school bond of $124,490,000 is being placed on the November 8, 2022 general election ballot and proposes new construction, renovations, and additions as well as major repairs, replacements, updates, improvements and/or enhancements of current facilities that cannot be financed through an annual school district operating budget. If the bond passes, there is a potential for an additional $25,000,000 from the West Virginia School Building Authority. Click on the icons below to view projected projects.
"Providing a proper and adequate education of students to prepare them for gainful employment or further education" is stated within this bond order. The average school building age of Berkeley County Schools is 54 years, with eight schools reaching the 100-year mark by 2031. "Together with due regard for proper health and safety standards, make it necessary that the Board of Education acquire, enlarge, equip, extend, furnish, improve, construct and renovate certain school building and facilities" to protect the past, current, and future investments made by the Berkeley County community.
*Enrollment for 2021-2022 per WVDE ZoomWV
If the voters of Berkeley County approve the school bond at the countywide general election to be held on November 8, 2022:
Class II Residential Homeowner
Could expect to pay up to $14.50 per month* for an owner occupied home appraised at $200,000.
Class II Residential Homeowner if Homestead Exemption applies
Could expect to pay up to $12.08 per month* on an owner occupied home appraised at $200,000.
Assumes a par amount of Bonds of $124,940,000, a term of 15 years and 3 months from the date of issuance of the Bonds, and an interest rate of 5.75% per annum. $200,000 of Appraised Value
*This is a monthly rate based upon the bond election rate not to exceed 5.75%. Market rates are currently lower than the stated maximum rate.
