A district finance staff member gave the board a detailed briefing on the governor’s recently released caboose bill and proposed biennium, explaining how technical updates, recalculation of the local composite index and enrollment trends affect Chesapeake Public Schools’ revenues.

The district reported a fall ADM of 39,497 and a revised ADM estimate of 39,347, a decline the presenter said represents 553 fewer students than assumed in the budget. Using the revised estimate, the presenter said the resulting projected state revenue for the current fiscal year is approximately $377,000,000 — a $4,400,000 decline compared with the budget assumption. The presenter noted a projected $3,300,000 reduction in special education regional tuition due to a state calculation change and described a $3,900,000 state bonus reflected in the caboose bill.

The presentation also described the governor’s proposed biennium budget framework, which includes recalculated local composite index (LCI) data, technical cost updates and proposed salary adjustments: a 2% salary adjustment effective July 1 followed by another 2% adjustment the following year for instructional and support staff. The district’s presented estimate showed the proposed biennium would result in approximately $390,200,000 in fiscal year 2026–27 revenue, reflecting cost updates and technical adjustments.

The presenter cautioned that the governor’s proposals are not final and that the General Assembly (House of Delegates and Senate) will review and may modify the proposals when it convenes on Jan. 14. The superintendent said Chesapeake staff will finalize the superintendent’s proposed FY 2026–27 operating and special funds budgets for presentation to the board on Feb. 9.

No formal board action on the budget occurred during the meeting; the item was presented for information and district staff offered to answer future questions.