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Culpeper County schools project a modest enrollment dip and about $1.2 million shortfall, officials say
Summary
Superintendent and clerk told the Culpeper County School Board that state funding supplies roughly two-thirds of the division's revenue; enrollment dipped from 8,200 to 8,134 and is projected at about 8,150 in March, yielding a shortfall of roughly $1.2 million (about 1% of the revenue budget).
Culpeper County School Board members were told at their regular meeting that the division faces a small enrollment-driven revenue shortfall as the General Assembly completes its budget work.
Neil Dean, the division clerk who delivered the finance update, said "state revenue ... represents 66% of our budget," and that county funding provides about 29%. Dean said average daily membership peaked at 8,200 students, dropped to 8,134 in January and is projected to be about 8,150 in March — a decline he estimated as roughly 165 students, or about $1.2 million, approximately 1% of the division's revenue budget.
"So that's a shortfall, a 165 members, or $1,200,000," Dean said while reviewing revenue projections. He told the board the division is tracking local revenue sources (including facility rentals) and spending trends and remains cautiously optimistic that local revenue and lower-than-budget expenditures will mitigate the gap.
Superintendent Dr. Tony Bridal said the division is watching the General Assembly's process closely: "What's pivotal for us will be coming up on February 22... that's when the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees release their respective budgets," and the board will adjust as information becomes available. Bridal also reminded the board that a public hearing on educational needs is scheduled for March 9, with the division's final budget presentation to the Board of Supervisors on March 12.
On expenditures, Dean reported operating and food-service funds are trending below budget and noted remaining budget balances. He cautioned that the division will not receive final state calculation tools by Budget Sunday but expects provisional estimates to guide near-term planning.
The board did not take a formal vote on any budget adoption at the meeting; members were briefed on timeline and projections and will consider final figures after legislative budget releases and the public hearing in March.
