Patrick County schools approve amended FY26 budget plan to present to Board of Supervisors
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Summary
The School Board voted to present an amended FY26 budget to the Board of Supervisors that reduces virtual enrollment revenue and seeks $200,000 above the state minimum; the board approved the motion to present the plan.
The Patrick County School Board on June 17 voted to present an amended fiscal year 2026 budget to the Board of Supervisors that would remove Virtual Virginia enrollment from the division’s revenue projection and request $200,000 above the state minimum local effort.
Superintendent Wood said discontinuing Virtual Virginia enrollment would reduce revenue by about $2.3 million. To compensate, he proposed reductions including lowering the board office insurance contribution, reducing capital expenditures to the state‑required minimum (enabled in part by 1% sales tax receipts), reducing transportation costs using escrow funds, not replacing certain vacant positions (including one high‑school administrator), and eliminating the SRO reimbursement the division previously provided to the county.
Wood said the finance office and he believe the division is no longer an insurance deficit and that these changes would allow the division to operate without raising local taxes while maintaining priorities such as security subscriptions (panic‑button badges) and building maintenance. He presented figures comparing Patrick County’s requested local funds to neighboring divisions and said he planned to present the amended budget at the supervisors’ July meeting.
A board member moved to approve submitting the amended FY26 budget to the Board of Supervisors and the board approved the motion by voice vote. Board discussion included members expressing concern about rumors of school closures and emphasizing support for maintaining local schools.
