Amherst County School Board approves budget and forwards request for a 3% pay increase to supervisors
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Summary
The Amherst County School Board voted to accept a proposed operational budget that prioritizes classroom instruction and recommends a 3% pay increase for all employees; the packet will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final funding decisions amid uncertain state aid.
The Amherst County School Board voted to accept a proposed operational budget that recommends a 3% pay increase for all employees and will forward the request to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.
Superintendent Dr. Houghton and staff presented the budget and stressed that keeping instructional positions — teachers, career-technical instructors and instructional aides — was the board’s priority as numbers were adjusted to accommodate the pay increase. Administrators said the request to the Board of Supervisors will be contingent on the final state budget; staff characterized the likely local ask as between about $1.6 million and $1.95 million depending on whether the governor's or senate budget numbers prevail.
Board members who spoke praised the administration for aligning the budget around classroom needs. One board member highlighted additions in the recommended staffing, including three secondary CTE instructors, two elementary instructors, and multiple instructional aides and supports intended to increase teaching capacity in classrooms.
Finance staff briefed the board on the process and confirmed the division will continue to monitor state revenue estimates and adjust requests as final figures become available. The board voted in favor of the motion to accept the budget as presented and forward it to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration.
Next steps: the board’s budget package will go to the Board of Supervisors; administrators said they expect to receive final state numbers in the coming week and will update the board if those figures change the local funding request.
