Amherst County School Board reviews $59 million proposed budget, requests $1.2 million from supervisors

At a special meeting, the Amherst County School Board received a presentation on a proposed $59 million operating budget that would add staff, raise compensation and ask the Board of Supervisors for a $1,200,000 funding increase.

Superintendent Dr. Wells told the board the proposal is built on conservative enrollment assumptions and the Senate budget figures that had moved through the General Assembly. "We went with the senate version because that's what when it came out of crossover and the conference committee, that was the one that moved forward to the governor's desk," Dr. Wells said, explaining the administration used that scenario to avoid a shortfall.

The proposal covers several priorities the board identified last fall: keep class sizes below the state Standards of Quality (SOQ), provide staffing to meet student needs, modernize facilities, maintain competitive pay and expand programs to improve post‑graduation readiness.

Why it matters: the budget would shift additional staff and dollars into schools while reducing reliance on one‑time federal ESSER funds that are expiring. Dr. Wells said the plan aims to put supports "in the schools, whether it's instructional assistance or whether it's working with elements to help…