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Superintendent asks Goochland supervisors for $2.5 million to fund schools' FY2027 needs
Summary
Goochland County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Armstrong presented a needs‑based FY2027 operating budget requesting about $2.5 million in additional county transfer, including a proposed 3% across‑the‑board raise for employees (estimated $1.14 million) and new positions to keep class sizes small and expand CTE programs.
Superintendent Dr. Armstrong told the Board of Supervisors on March 3 that Goochland County Public Schools is requesting an operating budget that would raise the division's total to slightly more than $49 million for fiscal year 2027 and require roughly $2.5 million more in the county transfer to meet identified needs.
"This proposed budget is the result of countless hours of work by our division team," Dr. Armstrong said, describing the request as a "needs‑based" budget designed to align every dollar with the division's strategic goals. He said the division seeks a 3% across‑the‑board salary increase for staff, which the presentation estimated would cost about $1,140,000 to implement for roughly 470 employees.
Key personnel requests include two additional elementary teachers to preserve class‑size targets, two CTE teachers for planned academy expansion, a middle‑school math teacher and two part‑time academic interventionists (supported in part by roughly $100,000 in state at‑risk funding). The superintendent also proposed investments to expand full‑time elementary art and music positions, strengthen transportation pay competitiveness, and add a full‑time substitute program and modest front‑office support.
Dr. Armstrong highlighted demographic trends that show enrollment increasing over the last three years and an updated enrollment projection and housing‑yield study underway; those figures inform FTE calculations and long‑range facilities planning. He also flagged policy risks from pending General Assembly measures, including a collective‑bargaining bill, and noted potential costs if new mandated programs (for example, an annually required air‑quality testing program discussed at the state level) become law.
Dr. Armstrong said, if the requested county transfer is not available in full, the division will continue to refine priorities and present alternatives during the budget process. The board and staff agreed to continue budget deliberations at the joint work session on March 17 and at future budget meetings.
The school division's presentation included detail on program priorities (instructional supports, CTE expansion and fine arts), expected cost‑sharing on health benefits, and a note that the division has earned the GFOA award for 13 consecutive years for financial management.
