York County School Board approves multiple motions, amends agenda; votes recorded

The York County School Board on March 24 approved a series of procedural and budget-related measures, amending its posted agenda and voting on financial and personnel items before adjourning to closed session.

The board voted 4–1 to amend the posted agenda to "remove matters by board members for this meeting." The motion was made by Mr. Schaefer and seconded by Mr. Richardson; Mrs. Fairman cast the lone dissenting vote. Miss Howard read the result at the dais.

During the meeting the board approved claims certified for payment for February 2025 and a bundle of routine financial matters that included payments for instruction, administration, technology, operations and maintenance, transportation, school nutrition services and capital projects. The board also approved resolution 25-13, which authorizes procurements greater than $100,000 and change orders greater than $50,000; the resolution covered eight items totaling about $1,320,000 and was moved as part of the financial matters package.

The board approved the consent calendar, which included personnel actions, approval of minutes for prior meetings, the Carl Perkins grant application for FY26, changes to programs of study, adoption of selected instructional materials (including African American studies and several AP courses), and an overnight field trip for Mount Vernon Elementary's FIRST LEGO League. That motion passed 4–1, with Mrs. Fairman voting no because she opposed one consent item (the VSBA policy services item) that was not pulled for separate consideration.

The board unanimously (5–0) approved a proclamation naming April 2025 as the Month of the Military Child and encouraging observance of National Purple Up Day on April 16.

On the budget, the board voted 4–1 to approve resolution 25-14, the proposed FY2026 operating budget and the FY2025 projected budget, for transmittal to the York County Board of Supervisors. Superintendent Dr. Shandor and staff described major proposed initiatives — a compensation package for eligible staff (a proposed 4% raise for full-time employees, plus step increases and other adjustments), additional instructional positions tied to enrollment and needs (including English Learner teachers and speech-language positions), and budgeted increases tied to the state—s recent actions. Board members discussed outstanding state and county funding uncertainties and acknowledged the budget is a proposed document that will be reconciled once state and county decisions are final. Mrs. Fairman voted no.

Finally, the board voted 5–0 to move into closed session under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(8), to consult legal counsel regarding a homeschool request that requires legal advice.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to amend agenda to remove matters by board members — mover: Mr. Schaefer; second: Mr. Richardson; outcome: passed 4–1 (Yes: Schaefer, Richardson, Pajevich, Goodwin; No: Fairman). - Approval of financial matters and claims for payment (included resolution 25-13 authorizing procurements/change orders) — mover: Mr. Pajevich; second: Mr. Richardson; outcome: passed 5–0. - Approval of consent calendar (personnel, minutes, Carl Perkins FY26 application, program changes, instructional materials, overnight field trip) — mover: Mr. Pajevich; second: Mr. Richardson; outcome: passed 4–1 (Mrs. Fairman opposed VSBA policy services item but did not succeed in pulling it for separate vote). - Proclamation: April 2025 as Month of the Military Child — mover: Mrs. Fairman; second: Mr. Pajevich; outcome: passed 5–0. - Resolution 25-14: proposed FY2026 operating budget (and FY2025 expected budget) for transmittal to the Board of Supervisors — mover: Mr. Schaefer; second: Mr. Pajevich; outcome: passed 4–1 (Mrs. Fairman opposed). - Motion to enter closed session under Va. Code § 2.2-3711(A)(8) for consultation with legal counsel regarding a homeschool request — mover: Mr. Schaefer; second: Mr. Pajevich; outcome: passed 5–0.

The meeting record shows the board treated the budget action as a proposed transmittal to the Board of Supervisors, with staff noting a multi-million-dollar gap that remains contingent on state and county funding decisions.

Ending: The board reconvened from a short recess to continue its agenda before taking the listed votes and then entering closed session. A final, balanced budget will be adopted later after state and county actions are completed.