School board accepts superintendents proposed budget, adds athletic director for Chincoteague

The Accomack County School Board on Jan. 21 accepted Superintendent Dr. Johnsons proposed operating budget for fiscal 2025-26 and voted to add an athletic director position for Chincoteague High School.

The action came after presentations by principals and department directors outlining local school requests and a budget overview from the superintendent. The superintendent told the board his proposed budget totals about $75,000,005 and projects a shortfall around $2,067,006; he said a combination of state revenue increases, county contributions and carryover scenarios would determine the final numbers.

Board members heard detailed requests from principals at Akamaq (Akamac) Elementary, Matomkin Elementary, Chincoteague Elementary and others, who sought items ranging from mobile classrooms and new stage curtains to additional reading and STEM staff. The superintendent highlighted the largest recurring cost in the request: an adjustment to teacher pay that he said equates to roughly a 3% across-the-board increase plus an average 4.2% market adjustment (about a 7.2% average increase for many teachers) to move the division toward the state average.

During the meeting a motion was made to accept the superintendents proposed budget. Board member Jesse Taylor (motion withdrawn and later re-offered as an amendment) proposed adding an athletic director at Chincoteague High; a board member seconded the amendment and the board approved it. The superintendent said adding the athletic director would increase the bottom-line budget by roughly a six-figure amount and that final adoption would depend on final revenue figures and the public hearing process.

The board will hold a public hearing and additional work sessions: the superintendent recommended a public hearing at the next meeting followed by a recessed meeting during the week of the 11th for deeper discussion and a final meeting on the 18th to adopt the budget. The superintendent also noted some one-time purchases could be paid from carryover, and said the division is still finalizing figures related to a planned $15-per-hour adjustment for certain staff.

Votes recorded at the meeting reflect acceptance of the superintendents proposed budget with the Chincoteague athletic director amendment; board members confirmed the process will include the public hearing and further budget work sessions before final adoption.

The boards acceptance makes the proposal public and available for revision; final adoption will occur after the hearing and any additional changes the board directs.