Finance committee: Clarke County projects ~$230,000 drop in state revenue tied to lower ADM

Clarke County School Board — November 17, 2025 — The district’s finance committee reported a near‑term revenue update Monday that reduces projected state funding by roughly $230,000 for fiscal year 2026, primarily because the district’s average daily membership (ADM) has come in below budgeted estimates.

Mr. Nucci, reporting from the finance committee meeting of Nov. 12, told the board the district’s revised beginning revenue estimate for the fiscal year was $29.8 million and that current projections now show about $29.6 million. “So right now, we’re projecting about $230,000 less in state funding than where we thought we’d be at the beginning of the fiscal year,” he said, and linked the shortfall to lower ADM counts.

The report cited two external ADM estimates used in planning — Weldon Cooper (UVA) and the Virginia Department of Education — which produced figures of roughly 1,910 and 1,930. The district budgeted an ADM of 1,850 for FY26 but reported current observed ADM of about 1,825, leaving the state‑funding projection lower than anticipated. Nucci described ADM as the primary driver because state funding allocates per‑pupil dollars according to that count.

Mr. Nucci said staff will continue to monitor enrollment and adjust projections in upcoming months. The report walked the board through how changes to local, state and federal funding streams affect the district’s operating fund, and noted that more detailed line items appear in the packet materials accompanying the finance committee summary.

No formal budget action was taken at the Nov. 17 meeting; board members asked clarifying questions and were told the committee will update the board as numbers firm up and as the state publishes any additional data that affects allocation.