400 West Stephen Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401
What is a School Excess Levy?
A school excess levy is an opportunity provided to local Boards of Education focused on improving and maintaining the educational system with community approval.
The school excess levy continues a 75-year investment in supporting public education in Berkeley County.
By the Numbers
Areas of Support
Local Salary Supplements & Benefits | $31,612,000 |
Instructional Materials (Textbooks, Services, Equipment | $3,500,000 |
Community Organizations | $408,000 |
Berkeley-Morgan County Health Department | $30,000 (up $1,500) |
Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation | $132,000 (up $20,000) |
WVU 4-H Extension | $93,000 (up $25,000) |
Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries | $152,500 (up $40,000) |
Increased Enrollment Support | $6,500,000 |
Facilities Maintenance | $3,980,000 |
TOTAL | $46,000,000 |
"Continuing the BCS School Excess Levy allows us to continue to provide support to all of our staff, students, and the community through salary, supplements, benefits, textbooks, technology, safety and security measures, facilities maintenance, and more."
Superintendent Ronald E. Stephens IV
Berkeley County Schools
Supplements to Employee Salaries
Salaries
Average Teacher Compensation includes 19% above the base WV teacher salary from excess levy funding. | |
|---|---|
Average Teacher Salary* | $49,534 |
Levy Salary Supplement | $5,613 |
Sick Leave Up To | $1,500 |
Housing Up To | $1,000 |
Dental/Vision | $1,200 |
Health Insurance | $264 |
Total Levy Contribution | $9,577 |
*Average teacher salary is a MA15 with 11 years experience. | |
Average Service Personnel Compensation includes 23% above base WV service salary from excess levy funding. | |
|---|---|
Average Service Salary | $30,370 |
Levy Salary Supplement | $2,980 |
Sick Leave Up To | $1,500 |
Housing Up To | $1,000 |
Dental/Vision | $1,200 |
Health Insurance | $264 |
Total Levy Contribution | $6,944 |
*Average service salary is a Level D with 18 years experience. | |
Supplements to Employee Benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
Stipends for Specialized Services & Extra Duties
PEIA Health Insurance Supplement
New Teacher Orientation Stipend
National Board Certification Stipend
Family Dental Insurance
Employee Vision Insurance
Applicable Certification Fees
Applicable Background Fees
Activity Passes
How Will This Impact My Taxes?
2025 School Excess Levy Residential Tax Assessments
Market Value | Assessed Value | Current Rate @ $0.45 | Proposed Rate @ $0.459 | Difference Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$1,000,000 | $600,000 | $2,700 | $2,754 | $54 |
$900,000 | $540,000 | $2,430 | $2,479 | $49 |
$800,000 | $480,000 | $2,160 | $2,203 | $43 |
$700,000 | $420,000 | $1,890 | $1,928 | $38 |
$600,000 | $360,000 | $1,620 | $1,652 | $32 |
$500,000 | $300,000 | $1,350 | $1,377 | $27 |
$400,000 | $240,000 | $1,080 | $1,102 | $22 |
$300,000 | $180,000 | $810 | $826 | $16 |
$200,000 | $120,000 | $540 | $551 | $11 |
$100,000 | $60,000 | $270 | $275 | $5 |
*Does not impact current homestead exemption | ||||
Voter Information
Deadline to Register to Vote: April 23, 2024
Early Voting Locations - May 1, 2024 - May 11, 2024 Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm
Dunn Building
Bedington Ruritan Club
3947 Williamsport Pike
Martinsburg, WV 25404
South Berkeley Volunteer Fire Company - Pikeside Substation
4127 Winchester Avenue
Martinsburg, WV 25405
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Endorsements
Berkeley County Schools is an investment in our community and an integral part of economic development. The following organizations and individuals have endorsed this school excess levy and its intended use to strengthen our community.
Berkeley County Diversity Council
Berkeley County Education Association (BCEA)
Berkeley County Education Association - Education Support Professionals (BCEA - ESP)
"BCEA-ESP and BCEA encourage every citizen of Berkeley County to vote, “Yes” on the levy on May 14th . A “Yes” vote is a vote of support for Berkeley County Schools’ employees and students."
Friends of the Berkeley County School Excess Levy
Former Berkeley County Schools Board of Education Presidents
Todd Beckwith, former BCS Board of Education President
Darin Gilpin, DVM, former BCS Board of Education President
Bill Queen, DDS, former BCS Board of Education President
Kevin Knowles, Mayor
City of Martinsburg
"An excellent public education system is a foundational pillar required to attract quality economic development and required to foster Martinsburg's continuing economic transformation. I encourage every citizen of Martinsburg and Berkeley County to vote, "Yes" on the levy on May 14th. A "Yes" vote is a vote of support for our future and our kids."
Manny P. Arvon
Former Berkeley County Schools Superintendent
The Martinsburg Initiative
Members of the Berkeley County Board of Education
Patrick Murphy, President
Jacqueline Long, Vice President
Michael Martin, Member
Damon Wright, Member
Melissa Power, Member
NAACP Martinsburg, Berkeley County, WV Branch 3242
Partners in Education - Berkeley, Inc.
