Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent Presents FY 2025-26 School Budget; Asks for Local Support for 5.64% Increase
Summary
Surry County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Monroe presented a proposed FY 2025-26 operating budget of $17,972,885, a 4.63% increase that would require an estimated 5.64% increase in local support. The proposal includes salary increases, health-insurance adjustments and capital-plan requests.
Superintendent Dr. Monroe presented the Surry County Public Schools' proposed FY 2025-26 budget to the Board of Supervisors on March 6, asking the county to consider an increase in local support to cover staffing, benefits and capital needs.
Dr. Monroe said the proposed operating budget is $17,972,885, a 4.63% increase ($796,024) over FY 2024-25. The school system estimates it will need a local funding increase of 5.64% ($756,069) to support the proposal. The schools' request includes a recommended salary range increase of 3% to 7% depending on tenure to continue implementing a compensation study, and staff said the Commonwealth mandates a minimum 3% raise. Schools also proposed absorbing an anticipated 10% increase in health-insurance costs, funding for mental-health and fine-arts programs, and support for athletics and student travel.
Assistant superintendent and finance lead Mrs. Harvey presented salary-scale comparisons showing Surry is competitive at later teacher tenure steps but may lag on first-year teacher salaries if other local divisions implement larger raises. She said the district must hold health insurance increases "harmless" to employees so that the mandated raises produce net pay increases.
Dr. Monroe described a grants schedule, proposed food-service budget, and a six-year capital improvement plan that the school division said is necessary to maintain HVAC, plumbing and other facilities. The schools are seeking to reestablish a building assessment committee to examine consolidation or facility changes.
Staff noted state budget uncertainty. Harvey said current actions at the General Assembly and the governor's amended budget could yield an additional $117,846 for Surry's schools, subject to final action and vetoes. The Commonwealth also has authorized a $1,000 bonus for staff (state share $96,228), which the schools said would be paid in September 2025 and be 80% locally funded, creating a projected local shortfall of about $110,460 that officials said they are studying ways to cover.
Dr. Monroe said the school division used a projected enrollment of 653 students (excluding pre-K) for planning. The superintendent and finance staff outlined next steps including public hearings and budget adoption timelines through May.
