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Finance director warns of state funding shortfall; county meeting requested to discuss options
Summary
The division’s finance director told the board the governor’s updated 'calc' tool shows a roughly $122,484 reduction to the current year and projections of lower ADM that could reduce next‑year revenue; staff will meet with county officials to discuss potential county support and internal adjustments.
Amherst County Public Schools staff told the School Board on Wednesday that updated state calculations reduced this year’s expected state revenue and that the division faces a potential shortfall in the governor’s proposed budget picture for next year.
Finance director (presenter identified in the meeting materials) reported a net decrease of $122,484 in state funding for the current year after the Virginia Department of Education’s updated projection, and noted an additional projection that average daily membership (ADM) could be lower next year—producing a larger funding reduction if the General Assembly’s final budget matches the governor’s proposal.
“That calc tool is projecting a lower ADM for next year,” the finance director said, and the division is treating the governor’s numbers as a conservative, worst‑case scenario for planning. The division said it will use existing surpluses in VRS and fuel lines if needed and that several supplemental appropriations already approved will cover identified overages in contracted services and federal program spending.
School staff said they will request a meeting with county leadership to discuss potential county assistance and to coordinate on budget priorities. The finance director asked to meet with the school board chair and vice chair and the county chair and county administrator ‘‘to start having some conversations’’ about possible support and timing.
Board members asked for trend data on enrollment and staffing and requested more detail about line‑item options. The division said it will provide additional enrollment trend analysis and staffing breakdowns in coming weeks and present a draft budget in February.
