School Board Budget Priorities for Fiscal Year 2026

FY 2026 School Board Budget Priorities

FY 2025 Summary: Adopted Budget $11.45 Million Net Increase/$188.46 Million Total All Funds The School Board (SB) established new budget goals under a framework of The School Board (SB) established new budget goals under a framework of supporting engagement, safety and learning for all students. supporting engagement, safety and learning for all students. Scrub Current Budget...............................($1.97) Keeping the Lights On .$2.19 Mandated Requirements ..$0.30 (SPED) Grants & Restricted Funds $0.26 (Mostly Federal & State) Health Insurance $5.23 ($4.0 million is one-time) Workforce Investment .$4.45 (3% ATB + 5% Stipends) Instructional & Student Needs . .$0.87 (MS Sports, Social Workers, Diagnostician) Capital Infrastructure & Security .$0.12 (Security) Note: $ Figures in Millions

FY 2025 Summary: Additional State Funds $2.90 Million Increase The School Board received additional state funds in May 2024. The School Board received additional state funds in May 2024. Keeping the Lights On .$ 0 Mandated Requirements ..$ 0.97 (13 ELL FTE) Grants & Restricted Funds $ 0.07 (MVGS + Nutrition) Health Insurance $ 0 Workforce Investment .$ 0 Instructional & Student Needs . .$ 1.21 (Operationalize Inst. Assistants) Capital Infrastructure & Security ..$ 0.65 (4 Buses and 3 Drivers) Note: $ Figures in Millions

FY 2026 Budget Planning School Administration recommends keeping the same budget goals to School Administration recommends keeping the same budget goals to support the Strategic Framework of Engagement, Safety, and Learning. support the Strategic Framework of Engagement, Safety, and Learning. Keeping the Lights On Mandated Requirements Grants & Restricted Funds Health Insurance Workforce Investment Instructional & Student Needs Capital Infrastructure & Security

FY 2026 Budget Planning Budget Exercise Budget Exercise Any change to budget Any change to budget priorities and strategic priorities and strategic framework? framework? Prioritizing the budget goals Prioritizing the budget goals from 1 (highest from 1 (highest Specific areas of interest (i.e. Specific areas of interest (i.e. Compensation Plan) Compensation Plan) SCHOOL BOARD SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET BUDGET PRIORITIZATION PRIORITIZATION EXERCISE EXERCISE 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3.

FY 2026 Budget Planning REFERENCE INFORMATION REFERENCE INFORMATION

FY 2026 Budget Planning KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON: KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON: Utility, fuel, fleet parts, and maintenance costs continue to increase overall.

FY 2026 Budget Planning MANDATED REQUIREMENTS: MANDATED REQUIREMENTS: In addition to applicable federal laws and guidance, the school division is required to administer the State s Standards of Quality for Public Education. This is important when requesting additional staff to meet address guidance regarding maximum class size and student- teacher ratios. Historically, main areas of concern have been: English Language Learners Student Support Staff (Counselors, Social Workers, Nurses, Psychologists, etc.) Reading and Math Specialists K-3 Class Sizes Special Education Compliance

FY 2026 Budget Planning GRANTS AND RESTRICTED FUNDS: GRANTS AND RESTRICTED FUNDS: are primarily state and federal funds that make up a small portion of the overall budget, however, consume a vast amount of resources to ensure compliance. Historically, the main actors in this section are: Federal Title Grants All In Virginia FRESH (Path) Mountain Vista Governor s School Nutrition Fund Textbooks Fund Asset and Security Funds

FY 2026 Budget Planning HEALTH INSURANCE FUND: HEALTH INSURANCE FUND: Last year, county and school staff collaboratively developed a 3-year health insurance funding strategy. In FY 2025, $1.23 million recurring increase in health insurance funding was adopted, in addition to $4.0 million in one-time funding to address the health care funding gap. The current total budget (county and schools) for the health fund is approximately $44.3 million. The current health budget for schools is $20 Million (Includes $4 million in One- Time Funds) School and County Administration will work together to make a joint proposal for the FY 2026 budget.

FY 2026 Budget Planning WORKFORCE INVESTMENT: WORKFORCE INVESTMENT: Historically, the state has adopted a 3% - 5% SOQ increase for staff as part of their budget. Generally, school boards follow this guidance to qualify for state revenues and incorporate the Governor s recommendation in the Superintendent s Proposed Budget. Below is some general data for planning: 1% Salary Increase (Across the Board) Estimated Cost ..$1.40 million 1% Athletic and Academic Stipends Estimated Cost .$0.04 Other Considerations: 1 Step (Teacher s Scale) Market Adjustments (Critical Needs) Business Re-alignment (HR Desk Audit Reviews)

FY 2026 Budget Planning INSTRUCTIONAL AND STUDENT NEEDS: INSTRUCTIONAL AND STUDENT NEEDS: These needs may not be required to address a mandated requirement; however, there are other factors such as best practices, student needs, parent/family input, School Board guidance, and strategic outcomes that drive budget requests in this section. Middle School Sports School Materials and Supplies Social Workers Roaming Nurses Psychologists Special Education Occupational Therapist CTE Programs STEAM Programs Training and Development

FY 2026 Budget Planning CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNOLOGY and SECURITY: CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNOLOGY and SECURITY: The cost for capital assets, maintenance, technology, and security continue to be great needs across the Division year after year. Buses Cars/Vans Radios Musical Instruments CTE Initiatives HVAC Sports Facilities and Fields Roofs Electrical/Plumbing Security Technology Hardware and Software