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Henrico schools seek $33.1M FY26–27 capital request, ask supervisors for larger meals‑tax allocation
Summary
Henrico County Public Schools presented a $33.1 million FY26–27 capital improvement request — an $8.1 million increase driven by inflation and HVAC needs — and asked the board to back raising the meals‑tax allocation from $9.0 million to $15.3 million to cover rising costs and security projects.
Mister Pritchard, presenting on behalf of Henrico County Public Schools, told the school board the division will seek approval that evening of a preliminary FY26–27 capital improvement plan totaling $33,100,000 — an $8,100,000 increase from the prior request — citing critical HVAC needs and the impact of inflation on projects.
The requested increase is driven in part by rising equipment and construction costs, Pritchard said, and by specific increases tracked across line items: the meals tax reserve has grown 37.5% since 2014, playground replacement costs are up about 22% per site since 2024, and school bus replacement costs have increased roughly 29.1% over the last four years. "We will be seeking the board's approval of our preliminary CIP at tonight's November monthly board meeting," Pritchard said.
Pritchard told the board he was asking that the meals‑tax allocation be increased from $9,000,000 to $15,300,000 — an additional $6,300,000 — to help meet inflationary pressures and provide additional funding for security projects. He summarized the schedule for approval: the board's preliminary approval would send the proposal to the Board of Supervisors for budget deliberations; if supervisors approve, the CIP would return to the school board for final approval.
Board member Mister Irving urged context on meals‑tax spending and revenue, saying the division has spent $96,690,470 since the meals tax's 2014 inception and that the tax has generated more than $110,000,000 in revenue over the last three years. "I just think that that perspective is useful in thinking about the total spending, versus how much the meals tax brings in for us as a county," Irving said.
When asked how inflation has affected playground purchases, Pritchard said $1,000,000 previously bought four playgrounds (the 2024 baseline) but now purchases three; requesting $1,600,000 would restore four playgrounds per year and produce an 11–12 year replacement cycle at elementary schools. Chair Shea voiced support for the increases, particularly mechanical and HVAC funding, and noted the long‑term effects of COVID‑era HVAC procedures and higher‑grade filters on system longevity.
The board did not take a formal vote during the discussion recorded in the transcript. Pritchard closed by thanking board members; the school board planned to consider the preliminary CIP at its monthly meeting and forward the proposal to the Board of Supervisors for their budget deliberations.
