School board previews FY2026 operating budget, cites $15.4M in new state funds; adoption set for Feb. 27

The Chesterfield County School Board on Feb. 25 held public hearings on the superintendent's proposed FY2026 operating budget and capital improvement plan and discussed a revised proposal that staff will bring back for adoption at a special meeting on Feb. 27.

Finance staff told the board the General Assembly's recent actions and other technical changes increase available state revenue by about $15,400,000 and that the county has agreed to about $1,000,000 in additional one-time support, narrowing a previously identified $16,800,000 funding shortfall. Board members were briefed on remaining items staff said they plan to address before the Feb. 27 vote, including alternate funding for the recovery academy and transportation fuel cost assumptions.

"We are at a point where we are able to come to you on Thursday with a revised proposal for our budget that we will then turn over to the Board of Supervisors on or by March 1," finance staff said during…