The Board of Education voted unanimously on Oct. 8 to approve a $634,526 operating budget amendment for fiscal year 2026 to recognize donated revenue, prior-year carryovers and community-use receipts.

Staff explained the amendment covers several types of revenue: restricted donations from businesses and community organizations to support school programs (for example, diesel program technology and horticulture/agriculture equipment), carryover receipts for student-run or summer programs (such as the Upper Chesapeake Summer Center for the Arts), community-use fees collected when outside groups rent school facilities (used for overtime custodian costs and site repairs), and prior vape-settlement funds that the district is holding until a compatible detection-and-camera solution is chosen.

Specific examples cited by staff included donor support for vocational programs, facility maintenance funded by community-use fees (bleacher and playground repairs, gym fans, a mower), and carryover recognition for college-and-career-night receipts. Staff said the vape-settlement money is being retained until the district verifies camera compatibility with detection equipment.

Staff recommended the amendment and the board approved the operating budget amendment as presented; no member opposed.

Ending note: Staff said they will continue to match community-use and donor funds to specific school projects and will report on spending as those projects proceed.