Fauquier supervisors approve $7.5 million amendment to FY2026 school budget

The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 15 approved a resolution to amend the FY2026 adopted budget, appropriating $7.5 million from general fund balance to the school division operating fund. The board adopted the measure following a brief staff presentation and a formal vote.

County staff said the resolution transfers $5,700,000 to the School Division Asset Fund and $1,790,000 to the School Division Health Insurance Fund. Staff also reported $65,000 in state funds from the Virginia Department of Education for a school security grant, with a $16,000 local match coming from the schools' operating fund.

Why it matters: the amendment directs one-time general-fund resources to school capital and insurance needs and uses a small state grant to support a school security program. The board's action resolves how those specific sums will be carried in the FY2026 accounting and allows the school division to begin using the designated funds.

What happened at the meeting: staff presented the resolution during a public hearing and invited questions; no members of the public addressed the board on this item. Following the presentation, a supervisor moved to approve the resolution and a second was given. The chair called the question; three board members said "Aye," and one member, recorded as Mister Washer, was recorded as opposed. The chair declared the motion carried.

Implementation notes: staff did not provide a breakdown of planned projects funded from the $5.7 million asset transfer at the meeting; the presentation said only that funds would move to the School Division Asset Fund. The VDOE school security grant ($65,000) and the required local match ($16,000) were listed by staff in the presentation.

The board adjourned without further action on this item; staff will proceed with the accounting transfers authorized by the resolution.