Superintendent outlines budget uncertainty, CIP items, fentanyl-education grant and school-bus use rules
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Boyd briefed the King George County School Board on state budget timing, local CIP projects, a fentanyl-awareness grant for high school, and a clarified policy for community use of school buses.
Superintendent Dr. Boyd updated the King George County School Board on a range of administrative and budget matters, saying the division is awaiting final state action and outlining local capital-improvement and program steps.
On the state budget, Dr. Boyd told the board the governor had returned the budget to the General Assembly with numerous amendments and has until May 2 to act on the package. "The governor now has until May 2 to decide to do a couple things," he said, and the division is working from competing budget scenarios that currently produce different funding gaps. Dr. Boyd said staff would present ballpark estimates on salary, health-care and compression costs to the Board of Supervisors in a scheduled Friday work session.
Dr. Boyd provided a CIP update: last year's approved projects included reconditioning the King George Middle School athletic fields (under way), school-bus replacement (buses purchased), Tomac Elementary sidewalk replacement (completed over spring break), King George Elementary gym floor replacement (completed) and modular ramp and deck replacement (in progress). For the current CIP cycle, Dr. Boyd said two buses, turf replacement at the high school and a middle-school catwalk were approved by the Board of Supervisors and planning has begun.
On a fentanyl-awareness grant, Dr. Boyd said the lessons from that grant are specific to high school, are intended to be supplemental to required curriculum, and can be delivered by any staff member who completes a one-hour training video. Counselors were initially selected to lead lessons because of a short application timeline, he said, and the grant period runs from January through September; the division plans to continue supplemental lessons after the grant period ends.
Dr. Boyd also described a clarified procedure for community use of school buses. The policy requires superintendent approval, payment to cover the bus driver and mileage, proof of insurance, and a statement holding the school division harmless; the requirement applies to King George events that request school buses, he said.
Board members asked clarifying questions about bonuses included in state budget proposals and the superintendent reiterated that the division has not received those funds and will discuss distribution if and when funding is provided.
