Revised enrollment projections, General Assembly actions narrow York County Schools’ FY26 shortfall

Finance staff told the board the division adjusted enrollment projections and summarized General Assembly budget actions that materially improved the FY26 outlook but left a local funding decision unresolved.

Mr. Bowen, the division’s budget officer, said revised ADM (average daily membership) estimates were updated after contracting with the Weldon Cooper Center and reviewing Virginia Department of Education figures. For FY25 Bowen reported a revised ADM of 13,061 (95 students above the division’s adopted FY25 baseline but 81 fewer than the Department of Education projection). For FY26 he reported a revised ADM of 13,268, an increase from the division’s prior baseline but 99 fewer than the state projection. Bowen said the division revised staffing needs accordingly (from 16 additional teachers projected to 12) and reduced expenditures by roughly $320,000 as a result of the adjusted ADM.

Bowen summarized changes from the governor’s proposed budget to the General Assembly’s adopted budget. The General Assembly increased Standards of Quality (SOQ) funding by roughly $2.9 million for York, including restoration of support positions to the SOQ and additional special education add-on funding (about $550,000). Lottery program adjustments and incentive funding changes also affected the estimate. Overall, the General Assembly’s package increased division revenue by roughly $3 million and, in Bowen’s account, reduced the division’s FY26 gap from a figure near $3.6 million to approximately $512,000.

Bowen and board members discussed local funding options. Bowen identified previously used options including one-time withdrawals from a revenue stabilization fund (the division has used such funds in the past to smooth budgets). He warned that much of the division’s end-of-year and reserve funds are already committed to the CIP and that the division relies on impact aid receipts (the FY26 budget includes about $8.7 million of expected impact aid receipts, and Bowen said timing and final totals can vary). The traditional path to close remaining gaps would be local funding by the county; if the locality does not provide the funds, the division would have to reduce budgeted expenditures, most likely in compensation where legally required obligations permit.

Board members asked about a $1,000 one-time employee bonus included in the General Assembly package. Bowen said a full $1,000 payment for all full-time employees would require roughly $500,000–$600,000 in local funds and that eligibility rules (part-time employees, hire date cutoffs) would need to be determined before any board decision.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to present the governor’s budget-based document in March and follow up if General Assembly or local changes occur; the board will receive final numbers after local funding decisions and any late impact-aid receipts.