Warren County budget hearing spotlights school funding as residents urge larger increase

Warren County supervisors held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, during which county finance staff outlined a proposed $93.44 million budget and several speakers, including teachers, parents and school association leaders, pressed the board to increase funding for Warren County Public Schools.

The county's finance presenter, identified in the meeting as Miss Scott, said the proposed FY26 amended budget is $93,440,000, down $651,944 from the adjusted FY25 total after transfers. Miss Scott told supervisors the FY25 adopted budget was $97.35 million but, after moving certain programs out of the general fund and accounting for supplements and transfers, the adjusted FY25 baseline used to prepare FY26 is lower.

Why it matters: school operating budgets and personnel were the most frequent concern raised during public comment. Speakers said flat funding in prior years has left schools short on support staff and classroom resources and warned that continued restraint threatens teacher…