School leaders press Southampton supervisors to fully fund FY26 request and pursue Capron Elementary replacement

School leaders from Southampton County Public Schools presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 9, urging supervisors to fully fund the division’s FY26 operating and capital requests and to prioritize student‑centered outcomes.

Superintendent‑level presenters, principals and department heads described six board goals — expanding learning opportunities, improving school culture, strengthening professional development and retention, growing community partnerships, accelerating capital improvements, and increasing equity. They said current state and local funding shortfalls, combined with demographic changes, require the county’s support to sustain programs and staffing.

What they asked for: The school delegation requested local funding to preserve programs and add staff where caseloads require it — including additional special education teachers at Nottoway, Riverdale, and Southampton High School; a paraprofessional for kindergarten support at Riverdale; and two special‑education positions at the high school to implement a collaborative teaching model. Special education staff presented caseloads by school and year and listed increases that school staff said make additional hires necessary for compliance and effective instruction.

Facilities plea and grant strategy: School leaders stressed that both the middle school and Capron Elementary are about 70 years old and noted safety, accessibility and capacity problems. They urged the board to approve a joint step with the school board to apply this year for the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) grant for Capron Elementary, arguing that the grant window and a reopened Literary Fund loan create a time‑sensitive opportunity. School staff said applying for SCAP and then pursuing a Literary Fund loan would not, at the application stage, commit local dollars.

Budget figures and pressures: Finance staff reported state revenue pressures tied to enrollment declines and expiration of one‑time federal ESSER funds, putting additional local funding pressure on the division. The school operating request presented totaled $38,282,007 with a total program budget of $40,891,125 (and $42,440,273 including food service). Finance staff said enrollment forecasts and ADM changes reduced state revenue estimates and that the division had already cut $1,320,757 from its initial request to offset those changes.

Equity and wraparound services: Presenters highlighted wraparound services (mobile clinics, food distribution, early literacy kits and McKinney‑Vento supports) and multiple grant programs (Jobs for Virginia Graduates, Teacher pipeline grants, Virginia school security grants) that the division uses to meet student needs. Staff said these services protect students from out‑of‑school barriers to learning and asked the board to maintain or expand local support.

Next step: The school presentation concluded with a formal appeal for full funding and a request to prioritize Capron Elementary for the SCAP application this cycle. The supervisors did not take a vote at the April 9 session; the item will move into the continuing budget deliberations at the next meeting.

Quotes representing claims and requests are attributed to school presenters and finance staff who spoke to the board during the presentation.