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Board narrows priorities to literacy and attendance, discusses shifting meetings to 6 PM
Summary
Superintendent presented two top priorities—75% reading proficiency and attendance interventions—and staff reviewed the FY26–27 budget calendar; board discussed shifting regular meeting start time from 5 PM to 6 PM to improve public participation.
Charlottesville City Schools’ superintendent presented the board’s proposed priorities for the coming school year and staff shared the upcoming budget calendar while members debated a possible change to meeting times.
Doctor Gurley said the board’s two top priorities for 2025–26 will be raising academic achievement (targeting 75% reading proficiency across all student groups) and strengthening a culture of safety, wellness and belonging, including attendance intervention plans to support improved outcomes. Staff will update the public data dashboard and plan literacy progress reports in October.
Miss Hoover presented a draft budget calendar for FY 26–27: a tentative joint meeting with City Council in mid-December, superintendent recommendations on Jan. 22, a second joint meeting Feb. 9 and school-board adoption in February. Board members asked staff to try to provide support-staff bargaining outcomes as early as possible so city budget conversations can account for potential personnel costs.
On governance, several members expressed support for shifting regular meetings from a 5 PM start to 6 PM with closed-session adjustments to preserve early executive sessions. Proponents argued a 6 PM start could improve public participation and allow working parents and board members with daytime jobs to attend; others cautioned about longer meeting evenings and possible loss of participants at later hours. The board did not take a formal vote; staff said the change would be implemented only after public notice and internal planning, potentially starting in January.
