Categories
West Virginia Politics WV Elections 2024

Stop Wasteful School Excess Levy Spending

I recently sent the following email to each of the five Jefferson County, WV Board of Education members and Superintendent Chuck Bishop, seeking details about how the Board of Education has spent our tax dollars.  The current School Excess Levy was voted in by the voters of Jefferson County on November 3, 2020.  It took effect on July 1, 2021, and extends until June 30, 2026.  the amount stated hat has been raised each year is $22,412,937, or about $2582 for each of about 8682 students.

The reason I sent the letter below is that the accounting for what our tax dollars are spent on is very opaque.  I believe in the necessity for transparency, honesty and accountability on the part of our Board of Education.
If the Board of Education cannot detail clearly where our tax dollars have gone and/or if they have wastefully spent our hard-earned tax dollars, then the next Excess Levy should not be approved.  If you pay $1000 per year in property taxes, $400 goes toward the excess levy.

The next Excess Levy for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031 will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.  The Board of Education is requesting the increased amount of $25,427,656 per year even though enrollment has declined and is projected to continue to decline.

Dear Superintendent Bishop and Board of Education Members:

Please provide answers to the following questions, in red about current Excess Levy spending so citizens can make informed choices about whether or not to support the request for an extension of this Excess Levy.
Please provide the actual amount spent for each lettered category below for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024)
Additionally, please answer the questions numbered 1  through 4 below the text of the levy ballot measure.

A. Continue support of WVU Extension $30,000 Services (4-H in community and schools)  Amount spent:

B. Continue support of Shepherdstown, $90,000 Harpers Ferry/Bolivar and South Jefferson public libraries  Amount spent:
                Jefferson County health Department (immunization support)  $20,000
                Jefferson County Parks and Rec (student and family health)        $30,000
C. Continue to provide instructional support and technology hardware, software and infrastructure support for students.             $1,5000,000  Amount spent
1.Amount received by each school
     For each school, amount broken down by each category;
      Instructional support and technology hardware, software and infrastructure support                  
D. Continue to provide safety tools and instructional materials to each Jefferson County School   $1,314,180  Amount spent:
1. Amount received by each school
       For each school a list of the safety materials and instructional materials purchased
E. Continue to provide professional development to increase programs, national certification & other teacher/service personnel benefits to recruit and retain highly qualified staff  $1,814,179 Amount spent
List each professional development seminar by date, title and presenter(s)
          Provide the cost of each professional development seminar
          List and provide the cost of any other professional development materials or services purchased
H. Continue to provide salary assistance for teachers and service personnel not covered/required under the state formula (librarians, art teachers, music teachers, nurses, counselors, custodians, instructional assistants), stipends & extended contracts (coaches, band),
and substitutes.  $17,412,937  Amount spent:
1. Please provide:
a. Total amount of excess levy funds paid  librarians, art teachers, and music teachers and number of positions where the only funding is excess levy funding (no state funding)
b. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to custodians and number of positions where the only funding is excess levy funding (no state funding)
c. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to nurses and number of positions where the only funding is excess levy funding (no state funding)
d. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to counselors and number of positions where the only funding is excess levy funding (no state funding)
e. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to instructional assistants and number of positions where the only funding is excess levy funding (no state funding)
f. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to substitutes and number of positions where the only funding is excess levy funding (no state funding)
g. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to any position not listed above and name of each position and number of positions where the only funding is excess levy funding (no state funding)
h. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to central office staff where the only funding is excess levy funding (no state funding)
i. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to teachers who receive state funding, and number of positions, excluding extended contracts (coaches, band)
j. Total amount of excess levy funds paid for extended contracts, and number of positions
k. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to service personnel who receive state funding, and number of positions
l. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to central office staff who receive state funding and number of positions
m. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to non-central office administrative staff (Principals, schools secretaries, etc.) who receive state funding and number of positions
n. Total amount of excess levy funds paid to any position not listed above that receives state funding, and name of each position number of positions

2. Please provide, for the period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024: 
a. Total number of students enrolled
b. Total number of central office staff
c. Total number of teachers
d. Total number of service personnel
e. Total number of non-central office administrative staff (Principals, school secretary, etc.)

3. Provide the amount collected during the last fiscal year that exceeded the projected amount of $22,427,656.  Provide a detailed breakdown of how the extra funds were spent, using the above categories and questions.

4. Did the Board of Education reduce the levy rate in any of the past three fiscal years (Excess Levy Ballot Item 3)?
If yes, what was the rate and what was the amount of reduction?

Sincerely,

Richard Urban

Categories
abstinence-centered education Family Family Breakdown Marriage Sexual Ethics

#137-Creating an Abstinence-Centered Education Revolution

Richard describes the disconnect between talking about societal breakdown and the cause of societal breakdown, which is the decline of two-parent families. With nearly 50% of all births in West Virginia (and elsewhere) coming outside of marriage, it is no wonder that schools are filled with out of control youth.
What is the solution?
A revolution of abstinence-centered education, looking forward to successful marriage as the goal.

See also: Richard Urban: Solving Today’s Problems with a God-centered and Abstinence-Centered Worldview

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Categories
Christianity Marriage Politics Rev. Sun Myung Moon Sexual Abstinence Sexual Ethics Unificationism

#124-Richard Urban-Solving Today’s Problems with a God-centered and Abstinence-Centered Worldview

    God must come first for any solution to the world’s problems to happen.  Furthermore, Richard discusses how the Unification Principle, revealed by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, presents a Biblical worldview with additional insight and understanding.  
    A core understanding is that The Human Fall involved a premature sexual relationship.  This understanding helps us to understand the world’s problems, and specifically the rampant sexual confusion and corruption.

See also:  Creating an Abstinence-Centered Education Revolution.

The Strengthening Families and Communities Forum is part of the Peaceful Families; Peaceful World workshop, sponsored by Visionroot.

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Candidate Interviews WV Elections 2024

#175-Interview with John Doyle-Democratic Candidate for WV State Senator-16th Senatorial District

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John’s Background and Policy Support Discussion
John shared his background, which includes graduating from Shepherd University, serving in the army in Vietnam, and being elected to the House of Delegates. He expressed his support for clean air and water, good public schools, reproductive freedom for women, an elected Public Service Commission, and the right to repair products. He also mentioned Delegate Kayla Young’s bill for the right to repair agricultural equipment and his intention to introduce a similar bill for all products if elected.
West Virginia’s Budget Challenges and Coal Industry
Richard and John discussed the challenges facing West Virginia’s upcoming legislature. John identified the biggest issue as balancing the budget, as he believes the state is entering a period of reduced surpluses. He attributed this to the cyclical nature of budgetary cycles and one factor being the increasing competition from the Australian coal industry. John also noted that while the natural gas industry is picking up, it doesn’t provide as much employment as the coal industry. Richard sought clarification on the factors driving the surpluses and their potential decline.
Eliminating Personal Income Tax and Property Tax Implications
John and Richard discussed the implications of eliminating personal income tax and the potential impact on property taxes. John explained that personal income tax currently contributes 40% to the general revenue fund of the state, and eliminating it would likely require a significant increase in property taxes. Richard shared his concerns about large property tax increases, particularly in his area where land values had risen by 130% in one tax year. Both agreed that protecting homeownership in the state is crucial and that any increase in property taxes should be carefully considered. They also touched on the issue of school taxes, with Richard expressing concerns about the lack of transparency in the accounting for the $23,000,000 plus raised by the school excess levy, which is 40% of local property taxes.
Levies, Election Integrity, Immigration, and Budget Balancing
Richard and John discussed various topics, including the timing of levies, election integrity, and immigration. Richard questioned John’s stance on making voting easier, to which John responded that he believes there are enough safeguards in place to ensure integrity. They also discussed the issue of non-citizens voting, with John suggesting that the system is equipped to handle it. Lastly, they touched on the topic of balancing the budget, with John confirming it as a top priority.
Family Breakdown and Societal Issues Discussion
Richard and John discussed the role of family breakdown in societal issues. Richard argued the high rate of children born outside of marriage is a major driver, while John saw it as one factor but not the driver. They debated whether education encouraging traditional family values is appropriate. John opposed laws enforcing behaviors but supported helping single parents.
Education Funding and Hope Scholarship Discussion
Richard and John discussed their differing views on education funding and the Hope Scholarship. John expressed his respect for his opponent, Patricia Rucker, but highlighted their differences on the issues. He voted against the Hope Scholarship, viewing it as a voucher, and does not support taxpayer money going to private schools or home schooling if the family can afford it themselves. He believes stronger controls are needed on the supervision of parents and children in home schooling and on how the money is spent. Richard clarified that the Hope Scholarship goes directly to the school chosen, not to the parents of the student..
Discussing Education and Risky Behavior Consequences
Richard emphasized the importance of educating young people about the consequences of risky behavior, while John expressed concern about the potential for indoctrination. They also touched on the issue of suicide, with Richard noting that sexually active girls are six times more likely to attempt suicide. The conversation ended with Richard asking John if he had any further points to make.
Solar Farms, Zoning, and County Planning
Richard and John discussed the issue of solar farms in their county. John expressed his opposition to the idea of solar farms being a matter of right, which he believes would destroy zoning. He suggested that the county planning commission should impose more restrictions on these industrial solar plants. John also criticized the county’s comprehensive plan, stating that it needs to be revised and more public hearings should be held. Richard agreed with John’s points and expressed his concern about the lack of transparency in the planning process. They ended the conversation with John encouraging people to consider his candidacy for the State Senate.
Categories
abstinence-centered education Family Family Breakdown Marriage

#174-Tricia Jackson on the Root Cause of Societal Decline

Richard and Tricia Jackson, primary candidate for West Virginia Treasurer, discuss how to tackle the issue of almost one half of all West Virginia births being outside of marriage. They talk about the need to present clear expectations and standards to children and youth. Helping children to develop emotional intelligence, and not just going by their feelings, was discussed as an important element of tackling this issue.
Richard discusses the idea of developing STAR (Students Teaching Abstinence & Responsibility) and other leadership clubs that emphasize character development and sexual abstinence.

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Categories
abstinence-centered education Family Breakdown Marriage Sexual Abstinence Sexual Ethics

#173-Kevin “KC” Christian on the Root Cause of Societal Decline

Richard and Kevin KC” Christian, primary candidate for West Virginia Governor, discuss the benefits and efficacy of character and abstinence-centered education for youth.  They dive into the process for forming an Urban Life Training Chapter in your local community.  Kevin shares about the importance of putting base desires in check while looking forward to a successful marriage and future.

Link for forming an Urban Life Training Chapter:  https://www.urbanlifetraining.org/index.php/chapters

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Categories
abstinence-centered education Family Family Breakdown Marriage Sexual Abstinence Sexual Ethics

#172-Joe Earley on the Root Cause of Societal Decline

Joe Earley, primary candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in West Virginia, discussed how the continued upward spiral of outside of wedlock births drives all types of societal problems.
Joe discusses the deleterious effect of unfettered internet access on our children, and much more.

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Categories
abstinence-centered education Christianity Family Breakdown Marriage Politics School Boards Sexual Abstinence Sexual Ethics

#171-Jack Hefestay on the Root Cause of Societal Decline

Jack Hefestay and Richard discuss the root cause of societal decline, the breakdown of the family. Richard presents a practical plan to tackle this issue.
Jack and Richard discuss the current dynamic of discussing God in the public square.

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Categories
abstinence-centered education Family Family Breakdown Marriage Sexual Abstinence Sexual Ethics

#170-Richie Robb on Strengthening Families

Richie Robb and Richard Urban discuss the importance of focusing on the cause of societal problems, which is family breakdown.  In West Virginia, about one in two children are born outside of marriage. 
How can generational change occur?
Could part of the solution be banning cell phones in schools?

Join this crucial discussion by commenting below.

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Categories
Family School Boards Sexual Ethics

#169-Michael Marshall on Mandatory LBGTQ Indoctrination in Montgomery County Maryland Schools

Guest Michael Marshall discusses how Montgomery County Md. makes LGBTQ indoctrination mandatory. LGBTQ books are included in English lessons for grades as young as pre-school. Since these are not part of the Family Life Education classes, parents are not notified and are not allowed to opt out their children.
This has caused an uproar from a diverse group of parents across the county.

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Categories
West Virginia Politics WV Elections 2024

#168-Interview with Nate Cain-Republican Candidate for the US House of Representatives-WV 2nd Congressional District

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Candidate website:  https://natecain4wv.com/.

Summary

Call from God to Run for Office
Nate discussed his background, including serving in the military for approximately 20 years and then working in cyber security. He became an FBI whistle blower regarding Hillary Clinton’s pay to play schemes. His home was raided by the FBI after he came out as a whistle blower. He felt through several experiences, that God has called him to serve through running for the House of Representatives.

Nate’s Journey to Running for Office
Nate discussed his initial hesitation to run for office. However, after seeking guidance from God and experiencing a series of confirmations from God, he felt a strong calling to pursue it. He shared his decision with his stepmother and was encouraged by her support. A particularly impactful encounter with a couple who had been praying for righteous leaders further strengthened his belief that this was his true calling, and that his candidacy was a response to their prayers. This experience deepened his sense of purpose and motivation.

Societal Issues and Single-Parent Households
Richard asked Nate about the decline of society due to children growing up without the benefit of a married father and mother. He asked for opinions on this perspective. Nate agreed that the government should be in the business of promoting stable two-parent families when creating laws or looking at tax policies, for example. Nate also recognizes that a lot of our social ills are really spiritually based problems. He pointed out that private charity historically took care of people through charities, and that their motivation is more altruistic than that of government programs.

Cybersecurity and Onboard Technology in Shipping Industry
Nate discussed the vulnerabilities of the shipping industry’s cybersecurity and onboard technology. Nate shared his experience with cybersecurity, having started a company focused on this area before the Covid-19 pandemic. Nate, a former US Army soldier and cybersecurity expert, highlighted the increasing digitalization of ship controls and the potential for cyber-attacks.

Faith-Driven Campaign Strategy in WV House of Representatives Race
Nate shared his campaign strategy for West Virginia’s House of Representatives race, which has focused on serving people in their communities rather than relying on big donor money. Despite being an underdog against a well-funded opponent, Nate has raised over $100,000 from individual donors in 40 states, and his grassroots campaign has earned him favor. In the conversation, Nate also emphasized his commitment to representing the people and their needs if elected, rather than just voting conservative. Richard inquired about the biggest issue facing the country, to which Nate responded.

Abuse of Power and Cyber Threats
Nate addressed the main issue as being the abuse of power by the government, specifically the Justice Department’s focus on spying on American citizens. Nate also expressed concern over the extension of FISA and the huge amount of money being allocated to the FBI’s new building, suggesting that many members of Congress and the intelligence community are compromised. Nate claimed that this abuse of power poses a greater threat to the nation’s constitution and survival than foreign aggressors. Nate also highlighted the expansion of executive orders and judges legislating from the bench as contributing to the Republic’s peril. Secondly, Nate cited the cyber threat from China as a significant concern.

Nate’s Policies, Spirituality, and Election Fraud
Nate believes children benefit most from a traditional two-parent household and suggests the government should enact policies to promote this family structure. He argues social issues stem from a spiritual disconnect, proposing community organizations like churches take over responsibilities from the government. Nate believes that there was election fraud in 2020. He witnessed criticized the rushed certification process and pointed out that, for example, in Pennsylvania, there were ballots counted when a judge had stated that government officals had no right to change existing law. He expresses concerns over the treatment of January 6th protesters, arguing their rights were violated and calling for their pardons, as he does not believe any received a fair trial.

Reducing Government Spending
Richard and Nate discussed the sustainability of government spending. Nate argued that the current policies were unsustainable and compared it to stealing from future generations due to borrowing to give foreign aid, for example. Nate also cited corruption and lack of accountability as concerns and suggested limiting aid to selling arms instead. Furthermore, Nate proposed a strategy to reduce federal spending by shrinking the government through attrition, which would not disrupt the political culture and gradually downsize agencies.

Medical Freedom and Vaccination Choice Discussion
Richard and Nate discussed the issue of medical freedom and vaccination choice, focusing on the federal and state government’s role in vaccine mandates. Nate expressed his strong support for medical freedom and his belief that the government has no right to dictate what individuals can put into their bodies. Nate also believes the government’s vaccine mandate violates the Fourth and First Amendments. Nate shared his experience of being forced to leave his job because he refused to get vaccinated. He clarified that while they believe the government should not interfere with adults’ vaccine choices, the government should not not allow for the medical mutilation of children. He also pointed out that every vaccine has risks and that the decision to vaccinate should be left to the parents.

Nate’s Candidacy and Faith-Based Approach
Richard and Nate discussed the latter’s candidacy in the upcoming election. Nate emphasized his unique qualifications, which include being a former FBI whistleblower and a strong faith. He expressed his belief in the importance of honesty, integrity, and sacrifice in public service, and he urged people to pray for God’s help for our nation.

Categories
West Virginia Politics WV Elections 2024

#167-Interview with Mike Allers Jr.-Candidate for the House of Delegates-WV 99th Delegate District

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Summary
Improving West Virginia’s Education System
Richard and Michael discussed the key issues facing West Virginia, with Michael highlighting the importance of education in addressing these problems. Michael, an educator and conservative commentator, expressed his commitment to overhauling the state’s education system, particularly in Jefferson County. He criticized the current curriculum, which he said was often based on far-left agendas, and called for an end to the use of the Common Core curriculum. Michael also emphasized the need to attract and retain talented teachers by paying them fairly.
Improving Society Through Family Culture in West Virginia
Michael discussed the potential of West Virginia leading the way in improving society by establishing a culture of family and life. He highlighted the importance of incentivizing marriage, including investing in childcare and providing support to young mothers if they do become pregnant.  Michael discussed the need to teach youth about what is involved in actually being a parent.
Solar Farms and Alternative Energy Sources
Richard and Michael discussed the issue of solar farms in their county. Michael expressed his concerns about the environmental impact of solar farms, stating that they not only ruin the landscape but also cease to function effectively after a few years. He suggested investing in other forms of energy, such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. He also pointed out that the incumbent had been promoting policies that are friendly to solar farms for a long time.
Discussing Vaccine Exemptions and Monitoring
Richard and Michael discussed the recent veto of a bill by Governor Jim Justice that would have granted partial vaccination exemptions for private schools and some virtual schools. Michael expressed his support for a nuanced approach to vaccination, emphasizing the importance of respecting medical freedom while also acknowledging the risks posed by unvaccinated individuals, particularly in the context of COVID-19. He also endorsed the need for religious exemptions but argued that proven vaccines like polio, mumps, and measles should not be removed. He further suggested that students claiming religious exemptions should be closely monitored, especially if they are coming from areas with high disease prevalence. Michael stated that Governor Justice made the right decision by vetoing the religious exemption bill for private schools.
Endless Mandates and Constitutional Amendments
Richard and Michael discussed the issue of endless mandates, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Richard explained that Governor Justice had put in place numerous mandates during the pandemic, which were not limited in time by the West Virginia Constitution. Michael agreed that this situation should be revised, stating that no mandate should be endless and that emergency mandates should have a clear end.
Hope Scholarship Program and Amendments
Richard and Michael discussed the Hope Scholarship program in West Virginia. Michael expressed his opinion that Hope Scholarship money should not be spent out of state. Mike feels that the Hope Scholarship is setting up a second Department of Education.  He proposed the idea of electing school superintendents publicly to provide a check on the Board of Education. Michael teaches in Maryland due to the higher salary, but would actually prefer to stay local if he could.
Improving Election Integrity and Voter Registration
Richard and Michael discussed election integrity and potential improvements to the voting system. Michael proposed that voters should be able to seal their vote with a thumbprint to prevent voter fraud, a measure he believed would be particularly effective when combined with voter ID checks. They also discussed the issue of automatic voter registration at the DMV, with Michael suggesting that non-citizens should not be registered to vote. However, Richard pointed out that many jurisdictions do not verify citizenship, only having a check box on the registration form, and that the Biden Administration has been enticing non-citizens to vote.
Discussing Tax Reform in West Virginia
Michael and Richard discussed the issue of high property and personal property taxes in West Virginia, particularly in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Michael suggested that alleviating the tax burden could have a significant positive impact on the state’s economy, and proposed the complete repeal of the income tax, following the example of New Hampshire.
Michael’s Legislative Platform and Strategy
Michael mentioned that he would be the only one in his race that would be an effective legislator.  He mentioned that he will prioritize education and think outside the box.  He mentioned that West Virginia is last in health care and education.   He criticized the incumbent’s strategy of co-signing bills as a mere endorsement of other’s ideas, and instead advocated for a more active and independent legislator.