Amherst County school board approves 2025–26 operating budget; board and staff stress summer programs, grant funding and monitoring

The Amherst County School Board on March 11 approved a 2025–26 operational budget that keeps several staffing additions and relies in part on state grant programs to expand summer learning and literacy supports.

Superintendent Doctor Wells summarized changes and line-item adjustments before the vote, saying the presentation “summarize[d] the discussions of the work session” and listing personnel and program edits that had been made since the work session and a special budget meeting. The board voted to approve the budget as presented; Dr. Wells said he will present it to the Board of Supervisors at a March work session.

The budget presentation listed several personnel adjustments: freezes to stipends as a percentage of pay, striking one CSR instructional assistant but adding a full-time teacher at Madison Heights Elementary, and adding a Best Lab at Elon Elementary while reducing Best Lab staffing at other schools. Staff said an additional position tied to All In Virginia funding was proposed to be moved out of one-time funds into operating to expand summer school access.

Why it matters: the budget mixes operating dollars with targeted grant funding — notably the All In Virginia allocations — to protect instructional positions while planning for expanded summer learning and intervention work. Board members repeatedly asked how funds would be used and whether expected reimbursements would materialize, and staff said the county presentation to supervisors would include updated projections.

All In Virginia, literacy and summer school Staff explained that the All In Virginia funds support three strands: learning acceleration, the Virginia Literacy Act, and chronic absenteeism work. Dr. Wells and staff said the division used All In Virginia funds to pay for two literacy teachers at the high school working with struggling ninth-graders, one elementary math specialist, a 0.5 reading specialist at Amherst Middle School, and summer-school allocations (about $375,000 for 2025 and $200,000 set aside for 2026). Kim Lukanich, a district staff member who discussed state planning-tool guidance, said shifting one position would “free up the All in Virginia funds so that we can expand the summer school program.”

Student services and Best Labs Student services director Mister Neighbors reported combined January–February Best Lab usage at the district’s five sites: the program served 102 students across those two months, with more than 3,800 visits aggregated. Neighbors said the youngest learners had the highest usage and that Madison Heights recorded the largest single-site total for the period. He and other staff said they are beginning to cross‑reference Best Lab visitation with attendance, grades and discipline data to assess impact.

Medicaid reimbursement and sustainability questions Board member questions focused on whether Medicaid reimbursements and other external revenue streams could make some intervention positions self‑sustaining. Mister Nabors explained that the district’s first Medicaid claims for ABA services are in process and that prior claims had often been denied; he said the current claims are “pending” and that staff will evaluate results before treating them as recurring revenue. Dr. Wells told the board he would not assume reimbursement until it is shown consistently in the district’s accounts.

Public comment and questions Resident Jeff Porter asked the board to name budget items that the board was most pleased with and encouraged public engagement and transparency; Porter later thanked staff (naming Kim Lukanich) for making budget materials available. Porter and other speakers emphasized appreciation for outreach and for special budget meetings that allowed public scrutiny.

Votes at a glance - Policy JHCF (food sold outside school day): Approved (motion, second; recorded voice vote: ayes). Referenced in the discussion prior to budget approval. - 2025–26 operational budget: Approved (motion to approve superintendent’s presented budget; motion seconded; voice vote in favor). Dr. Wells will present the approved budget to the Board of Supervisors at their March work session. - Hearing officers list (addition of two former superintendents): Approved (motion, second; voice vote in favor). - 2025–26 school calendar (inclement-weather teacher work days noted): Approved (motion, second; voice vote in favor).

What’s next Staff said they will continue monitoring Medicaid claims, the All In Virginia allocations and Best Lab usage and will present updated figures to the board as reimbursements and other revenues are realized. Dr. Wells will bring the approved budget to the Board of Supervisors for discussion at the supervisors’ March 18 work session.

Ending note: board members thanked staff for the budget work and for targeted additions the board described as likely to protect classroom instruction and intervention time for students.