Superintendent presents FY 2026 needs-based budget; public expresses concern about federal funding and special education

Superintendent Christopher Shander presented a needs-based FY 2026 operating budget to the York County School Board on Feb. 24 and said the division faces a budget gap of just over $3.1 million. The presentation and the public hearing that followed drew several speakers who urged local and state advocacy to protect federal education funding the division receives for special education, Title programs and Impact Aid.

"My total proposed budget is $827,752,000," Shander told the board during opening remarks on the budget. He said the district has a budget gap of "just over 3,100,000" and outlined revenue changes from state, county and federal sources.

At the public hearing, residents warned that a federal pause in Department of Education activity or a broader dismantling could threaten programs that support special education, early childhood services and free and reduced-price meals. Carrie Chee, a District 4 resident, cited state and federal special education funding levels and asked the board to push for advocacy at the state level. "Special education is not optional," Chee said, adding that securing IEPs and 504 plans is a thorough, evidence-based process and that the funding behind those services is at stake.

Board staff also briefed members on the district’s reliance on federal funds and competitive grants. Shander listed major federal streams that support YCSD operations, saying the district receives more than $21 million in federal dollars across Title programs, Impact Aid, Department of Defense funds and several competitive grants. He said competitive grants total about $6.1 million; Impact Aid is approximately $8.7 million and DOD-related funding about $1.2 million. "We receive federal dollars from Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, IDEA (Title 6b), Carl Perkins and other competitive grants," he said.

Legal and operational staff also addressed a related concern raised in public comments about potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visits to schools. Dr. Carroll told the board the district had sought legal guidance from counsel and state associations and had discussed protocols with local law enforcement. "There has to be a warrant that is signed, either judicial or administrative," Carroll said, adding that principals were instructed to follow existing policy (JED) and to direct law-enforcement information requests to legal counsel.

Budget documents presented to the board included detailed January financials: instructional-related payments, technology and operations expenditures, and school nutrition reports. The board approved routine financial matters during the meeting (see separate votes summary). During discussion, staff explained that a higher month-to-month food-service expenditure is in part the planned drawdown of an approximately $4 million fund balance generated during COVID-era federal meal reimbursements.

Ending: Board members and the superintendent said they will continue to monitor federal activity and grant status and to report back as needed while finalizing the FY 2026 budget. The public hearing record will be part of the board’s budget deliberations.