Fluvanna County Schools asks for $24.41 million in local funding for FY27, proposes 3% staff increase

Dr. Peter Gretz, superintendent of Fluvanna County Public Schools, presented the school division’s proposed FY27 budget to the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors, requesting $24,410,943 in local funding, an increase of $620,727 from the prior year. The presentation framed the request as balancing current educational needs with long-term fiscal sustainability.

Gretz told the board the proposal includes a 3% compensation increase for all staff and a plan to ‘‘hold staff harmless’’ against a projected 9% rise in health insurance costs. The budget also calls for retaining instructional and support positions that had been funded through state grants and increasing special education staffing to address enrollment growth in special education services. The schools will continue participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which provides no-cost meals to all students.

Board members did not take a formal vote on the school budget during this session; the presentation was part of the budget work session and preceded a short recess while School Board members left. The superintendent and county staff described the limited fiscal flexibility as largely driven by the high share of the budget devoted to compensation and benefits.

The board will consider the county administrator’s recommended budget and any formal appropriation decisions in subsequent budget hearings and meetings.