Boone County Teachers Resign

About 40 employees of the Boone County School District have resigned in the middle of the budget crisis. Monday was the deadline for employees to resign ahead of the new school year, and rather than take a $4,000 pay cut in order to help deal with county’s budget deficit, and lose health and dental benefits, the 40 teachers chose quit instead. The resignations affect elementary, middle and high schools. Among the positions now left vacant are assistant principals, teachers, coaches and special education teachers. The district had lost about $9 million because of the downturn in the coal industry and a loss of property tax value. Last month, the West Virginia State School Board threatened to take over the county’s education system if it didn’t create a balanced budget.