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Goochland schools present FY26 adopted budget to supervisors showing modest 2% increase and priority unfunded needs
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Cromartie presented the School Board‘s adopted FY2026 budget to the county board, saying it balances with a requested county transfer up 4.7% and highlights core investments and unfunded priorities including interventionists, ESL staffing, and CTE expansion.
The Goochland County School Division presented the School Board‑adopted budget for fiscal year 2026 at the March 4 Board of Supervisors meeting, seeking a county transfer increase of $1.384 million (4.7%). Superintendent Dr. Jason Cromartie summarized enrollment trends, academic outcomes and the division’s priorities as the budget moves into the county’s deliberations.
Key points: The adopted budget shows a modest 2% overall increase in the school division’s operating budget and centers investments in instruction and staff: a proposed 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees; an elementary assistant principal position for the newly opened Goochland Elementary; expansion of an existing ESL teacher to full time; and additional special education and instructional resources.
Why it matters: Dr. Cromartie emphasized student achievement metrics — state accreditation across all schools, high graduation rates (98%) and strong SOL results — noting those outcomes are produced at a comparatively lower per‑pupil cost. He also highlighted a 71‑student net enrollment increase year‑over‑year and a Weldon Cooper Center estimate showing an 11.2% county population growth over the last four years.
Unfunded priorities: The presentation itemized “unfunded needs” if additional county or state revenue becomes available. Top priorities include interventionists (one per elementary school), another elementary ITRT, a middle‑school agriculture teacher, a tiered approach to expanding band staffing, and 2 bus drivers. Dr. Cromartie said some state proposals (VPI funding changes or Head Start support) could recoup roughly $150,000 and $70,000 respectively if enacted, which would help address some line items.
Budget specifics and timeline: The school budget relies on state projections in the governor’s December proposal and excludes any subsequent House/Senate changes. The county transfer request of $31,129,844 is the largest component of the schools’ revenue plan. Dr. Cromartie told supervisors the division will supply clarified cost estimates for the board’s planned 2x2 budget discussions.
Board reaction and next steps: Supervisors praised the division’s performance and asked for the school’s unfunded items to be prioritized with dollar estimates ahead of upcoming town halls and budget sessions. Several supervisors stressed that the Board of Supervisors must evaluate dollar amounts and policy tradeoffs during its budget review rather than set specific staffing priorities for the school division. The superintendent agreed to provide cost detail and a prioritized list for the next 2x2 meeting.
Ending: The schools will present at joint workshops and town halls before the Board finalizes its FY26 budget; both sides indicated plans to continue collaboration on enrollment projections and targeted, costed priorities.
