The Finance & Facilities Committee voted to send the question of the elementary Restorative Academy (RA) to the full Board with a recommendation to end the elementary portion and explore absorbing personnel into other programs, following committee concern about the program’s per‑student cost and sustainability after grant funding ends.

Committee members referenced a staff memo showing the district can operate the elementary RA only by spending down multiple grants; staff told the committee the STOP grant funds are restricted to restorative activities and could be amended through the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to shift some funds to secondary restorative programs. The staff memo estimated that continuing the elementary RA for a full fiscal year without grant changes would cost the district approximately $604,303.60 in local funds if external grant support were not available after 06/30/2026.

Committee members noted the program currently serves a small number of students at a high per‑student cost. One member summarized previously shared data and observed the program was serving roughly five students on average at a cost that equated to about $120,000 per student when compared with the district’s regular per‑student spending. Committee members said that, given grant expiration timelines and the district’s broader budget constraints, it is prudent to consider winding down the elementary RA and moving staff—if qualified and where vacancies exist—into existing alternative settings such as secondary restorative programs and TAP.

Staff cautioned that any transitions must respect existing employment contracts and that some personnel could be retained in place through the end of their current contract year. On funding: staff said they would pursue an amendment with VDOE to move restricted STOP grant funds to the secondary RA rather than returning funds to the state and would analyze savings achievable through reassignments and natural attrition.

A committee member moved that the committee recommend stopping the elementary Restorative Academy immediately and absorb staff into TAP or other applicable programs; the motion was seconded. Committee members clarified that the committee’s recommendation would go to the full board for a final decision; the committee voted in favor and asked staff to return with specific savings numbers and implementation implications.