Board approves $2.16 million literacy carryover; decision on broader school bonuses tabled until July

The Franklin County Board of Supervisors on a roll-call vote approved appropriation of remaining FY2024 Virginia Literacy Act carryover funds to the school division and postponed decisions on broader bonus funding for school employees.

School system representative Miss Tuttle told the board the state awarded $2.4 million under the Virginia Literacy Act for a three-year program; after first-year spending, $2,150,000 remained and the school asked the board to reappropriate $2,155,862 to fund implementation, high-intensity tutoring and chronic absenteeism interventions for 2025–26. The board voted to appropriate the carryover funds as requested.

Members of the school system also asked for additional county support so all school employees could receive uniform bonuses. The state provided $1,000 for full‑time SOQ‑funded school employees and the county would need to provide additional dollars to extend the same amount to all part‑ and full‑time employees. School officials and county staff discussed using school carryover from FY23–24 or county year‑end surplus to cover any shortfall.

The board voted to table further action on broader bonus supplementation and on the school’s request to apply FY23–24 carryover to bonuses until its July meeting, so staff can produce more detailed carryover and budget projections. County finance staff said the county’s general fund experienced a temporary $15 million cash gap while awaiting real-estate tax collections and noted multiple grant awards (about $12 million) that will require appropriation and a public hearing under state code.

Board action: appropriation for Virginia Literacy Act carryover funds approved; motion to delay decisions on additional school bonus funding carried and is scheduled for the July meeting.