Lynchburg City Schools board approves proposed $127.96 million FY2027 operating budget, asks city for $4.53 million

The Lynchburg City Schools board on a roll-call vote approved a proposed FY2027 operating budget of $127,958,432 and agreed to submit a local funding request of $4,531,015 to the city manager.

Superintendent Carmen, who presented the plan, said the proposal "matters because it directly impacts our students and our staff," and framed the request around compensation, expanded supports for students with disabilities, and growth in alternative-education placements. The presentation also emphasized staffing needs for special-education compliance, additional administrative support, and operational upgrades.

Finance staff provided context for the division's midyear financials: the division is roughly 50% through the fiscal year, with revenues collected at about 46.93% of the original appropriation and expenditures at about 46.54%. The superintendent and finance staff said state funding estimates come from the Virginia Department of Education's calculation tool and are subject to change until the General Assembly finalizes the state budget.

Key budget features highlighted by the superintendent and staff include a 2% compensation increase aligned with the governor's proposal, raising the proposed base hourly rate from $17 to $20 and a minimum teacher salary in the plan of about $51,000 plus a step increase for eligible employees. The budget also funds a two-year step increase schedule, reinstatement of school-board stipends, additional special-education supervisory capacity, extra counseling support for expanded alternative-education placements, and a one-time implementation cost for PowerSchool (with ongoing annual licensing thereafter).

The presentation included the division's budget totals: fiscal year 2026 adopted operating budget $119,084,068 and fiscal year 2027 proposed operating budget $127,958,432, with the local ask to the city shown as $4,531,015. The superintendent said the proposed ADM (average daily membership) used for state funding estimates is projected at 7,093 students while the division serves approximately 7,700 students.

Board members asked about revenue certainty, the nature of the PowerSchool costs, and details for alternative-education facilities and staffing. Finance staff said the largest PowerSchool fee for next year is a one-time implementation cost and that annual licensing would replace current Infinite Campus charges going forward. The superintendent said some alternative-education facility needs include plumbing work, wireless access points and retrofitting storage spaces into classroom space, and that staffing estimates were modeled based on different placement scenarios.

A motion to approve the budget was made by Missus Lawrie and seconded by Doctor Farmer. The clerk called the roll; board members present recorded yes votes and the motion passed. The superintendent said the approved proposal will be submitted to the city manager for the next stage of review.

The board and administration noted the budget remains subject to change pending any action by the General Assembly and updates to the calculation tool; the superintendent said the division will update the board as state guidance or funding levels change.