The Ohio County Board of Education has decided to wait to decide whether or not to join 49 of West Virginia's 55 school districts in a lawsuit over health care benefits for retirees.

“Some counties are suing. Table the motion until that time,” said Tom Innocenti, Ohio County School Board President.

Since 2006, school boards have had to record in their accounting books the amount of "other post-employment benefits" or OPEB owed to their retirees.

The figure has to do with retirement health care and life insurance benefits.

School officials fear the move will transfer those obligations from the state to county school districts.

In Ohio County, recorded OPEB costs will be about $700,000 this year and that figure will jump to $4.4 million in 2010, and will continue to increase.

“It's very demanding on us as a school district we know if legislature doesn't intervene, it could be damaging to the school system,” said Superintendent George Krellis.

On Dec. 11, Ohio County Board of Education members invited local and state lawmakers to join them for a special meeting to provide information about state officials' plans for dealing with OPEB during the upcoming legislative session.

Officials said they will wait to see what move leaders will make next.

The West Virginia Legislature returns to Charleston on Jan. 13.