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Culpeper schools report FY2026 revenue projection, enrollment dip and compliance with SOQ staffing ratios; operations updates delivered
Summary
Finance staff said FY2026 revenue is projected at $125.6 million with an estimated $1.01 million state revenue shortfall tied to a 103-student enrollment shortfall; the instruction report said division staffing meets Virginia SOQ ratios; operations reported facilities projects, nutrition CEP at 38.85% and transportation updates including a pilot app and 394 stop-arm citations in September.
At its Oct. 13 meeting the Culpeper County School Board heard finance, instruction and operations briefings that together outlined the district’s near-term fiscal picture, compliance with state staffing rules and ongoing facilities and transportation work.
Finance presenter Mr. Deane reported total FY2026 projected revenue of $125,633,032, with 66% from state sources, 29% from Culpeper County government, 4% federal funds and 1% carryover. Membership for September 2025 was 8,212 students, slightly below the budgeted 8,315, producing an estimated state revenue shortfall of approximately $1,007,952 (about 0.8% of total revenue). Year-to-date School Operating Fund expenditures were $25.1 million, or 20% of the budget, in line with prior-year spending at the same point.
Instruction presenter Mr. Hauman walked the board through Standards of Quality (SOQ) instructional staffing ratio requirements and reported that divisionwide ratios are within state-mandated limits. He summarized K–3 Primary Class Size Reduction (CSR) results, noting school-specific CSR ratios ranging from roughly 17:1 to 19:1 and maximum K–3 class-size caps set according to free-lunch eligibility and SOQ formulas.
Operations updates from Dr. O’Brien covered facilities maintenance (roof coating projects at A.G. Richardson and Floyd T. Binns; HVAC fan replacements at Eastern View High School; resumed painting program), School Nutrition (CEP participation at 38.85% and 202,292 meals served in September) and Technology (1,165 service tickets closed in August, new network access points and a VR machine at CTEC). Transportation reported approximately 6,019 students routed for morning service and 6,283 for afternoon, the arrival of three new 77-passenger buses (two more expected), and a pilot of the Here Comes the Bus app to replace Stopfinder; the division issued 394 stop-arm violation citations in September.
Board members thanked staff for the reports and asked for continued monitoring of enrollment trends and spending as the budget process proceeds.
