CFO outlines $ federal funding portfolio for FY2026; board asks about Medicaid and nutrition impacts

Crystal Pate, chief financial officer for Virginia Beach City Public Schools, presented a high-level overview May 13 of federal funding reflected in the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and answered board questions about Medicaid reimbursements, potential federal changes and school nutrition funding.

"The information being shared this afternoon reflects what we currently know with certainty. Should any of the information change, we will promptly update the school board," Pate told board members at the start of the presentation. She said the budget figures presented include carryover funding from prior years and that some figures differ between the operating budget and grant-detail spreadsheets provided to the board.

Pate outlined major operating and categorical federal funding proposed for FY2026, including Department of Defense special education funding ($1,800,000); Navy NJROTC personnel reimbursement…