School officials updated the Board of Supervisors Jan. 8 on recent division activity, state grant awards and budget planning.

Dr. Leslie said schools resumed instruction this week and highlighted upcoming student events and engagement opportunities. She announced a Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant of $32,400 for Northumberland Elementary School that requires no local match.

Finance staff and the superintendent said they are working together to reconcile accounts and prepare the FY27 budget. County finance staff reported posting significant revenue reconciliations and said the payment backlog is shrinking. Officials announced a public hearing for the budget at 6 p.m. on Jan. 21 in the school auditorium; they said multiple budget options and analyses will be presented and that survey results and data will be publicly available.

School leaders noted ongoing staffing vacancies — including multiple certified positions at elementary and high school levels — and described recruitment outreach to universities. The superintendent said the division uses SOL-aligned curriculum and supplementary programs (e.g., Edgenuity) when certified staff are not available for specific courses.

The board requested a joint meeting between the school board and the Board of Supervisors to discuss budgeting and operational priorities; the superintendent agreed to propose dates.

Next steps: staff will publish budget materials and present options at the Jan. 21 public hearing; the boards will schedule a joint meeting to coordinate budget priorities and staffing strategies.