Question 1 - Election to Authorize Additional Levy

Special election to authorize additional levies (the "Excess Levy") for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, July 1, 2028, July 1, 2029, July 1, 2030, and July 1, 2031, in the approximate average amount of $1,300,459 annually, for the purpose of the payment of the general current expenses of The Board of Education of the County of Hardy (the "Board"), including for the purposes hereinafter set forth; all according to the Order of the Board entered on the 19th day of August, 2026, and as more particularly described below. The purpose for which additional funds are needed during the term of this five-year levy, and the approximate average annual amount for such purpose after due allowances for discounts, delinquencies, exonerations, uncollected taxes and shrinkage, subject to variation from year to year, are as follows: PURPOSE FOR WHICH ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE NEEDED & ANNUAL AMOUNT FOR EACH PURPOSE Employment and Retention Support, including, without limitation, funding to maintain current and additional needed positions above the funding formula provided by the state, to improve and enhance the Hardy County School $1,300,459 District's instructional program, school safety and/or student support programs by the employment and retention of qualified teachers and/or service personnel. The amount set forth above is the anticipated average annual amount for this purpose. The actual amount likely will vary from one fiscal year to the next. If the above-stated purpose is declared unconstitutional or invalid due to judicial or legislative action, then any affected funds may be used for the enrichment, supplementation, operation, and improvement of educational services, schools and/or facilities in the public schools of Hardy County, West Virginia, as Board may determine from time to time, in its discretion. The total amount necessary to carry out the above purpose over five fiscal years, after making reasonable allowances for discounts, delinquencies, exonerations, uncollected taxes and shrinkage, is $6,502,295 or the average sum of $1,300,459 annually. The actual amount budgeted, as well as the amount spent, for such purpose likely will vary from one fiscal year to the next depending on the realized tax collections and the needs of the Hardy County School District, as determined by the Board with respect to each fiscal year. If the amount budgeted by the Board for a fiscal year are not able to be spent entirely in such fiscal year, then the unspent amount shall be carried over and, in the Board's sole discretion, spent on such specific purpose in subsequent fiscal years. If additional State, Federal, private or other special funds are made available to the Board for the above-stated purpose, the amounts herein set forth may be used, solely or on a matching basis, to secure said additional funds or provide additional services. Additional funds received by grant, donation or otherwise from the state or federal government, or from any agency of either, or from any other public or private source, for the above-stated purpose, may be used either in substitution for or in addition to the funds obtained from this Excess Levy. The Board reserves unto itself as the levying body the right and authority, in its discretion, to reduce the rates of the excess levy, should increased assessments produce funds in excess of projected needs in any year specified in the levy call in accordance with section six-g, article eight, chapter eleven, of the West Virginia Code. The Board is hereby authorized and empowered to expend, during the term of this Excess Levy and one additional year, the surplus, if any, accruing in excess of the above amount needed for the above-stated purpose, plus excess collections due to increased assessed valuations for the enrichment, supplementation, operation, and improvement of educational services, schools and/or facilities in the public schools of Hardy County, West Virginia, including student instructional supplies, materials, equipment, facility improvements and/or capital projects, as Board may determine from time to time, in its discretion. In the event that the actual amount collected is less than the amount noted for the above-stated purpose for any one or more fiscal years, the Board is hereby authorized and empowered to determine, in its discretion, to reduce the spending for such purpose in such fiscal year; provided, that the total of any such reduction shall not exceed the amount of such collection shortfall each year. The additional levy, in cents per $100 of assessed value on each class of property, shall be on Class I property 3.79 cents; on Class II property 7.58 cents; on Class III property 15.16 cents; on Class IV property 15.16 cents. That the proposed years to which the additional rate of levies shall apply are the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, July 1, 2028, July 1, 2029, July 1, 2030 and July 1, 2031.