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Henrico school board approves FY2027 budget, funds 3% pay raise after $22.9M reduction
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Summary
The Henrico County School Board voted to approve the adopted FY2027 annual financial plan, which includes an across-the-board 3% raise for returning staff and required a $22.9 million reduction to the general fund to cover the cost; the full budget will take effect July 1, 2026.
The Henrico County School Board approved the adopted fiscal year 2027 annual financial plan as presented, including an across-the-board 3% raise for returning staff and several program adjustments to balance the budget.
The budget presenter, Mr. Wack, told the board the countywide budget compilation required a 3% spending reduction across departments to accommodate the staff raise. “We needed to allow for $22,900,000 reduction to our general fund budget in order to support a 3% employee raise, which will cost about $18,300,000,” he said. He also reported the general fund increased by about $25,000,000 (roughly 3.3%) compared with the current year and that the operating budget across all funds grows by about 2.9%.
Board members said the adopted plan preserved most initiatives from the superintendent’s recommended budget while making necessary adjustments after lower-than-expected state aid and real estate tax receipts. On behalf of the board, the presiding officer said the plan “addresses many of our critical needs, including an across the board 3% raise for employees and resources for some of our most vulnerable English language learners and special education students.”
The motion to adopt the FY2027 annual financial plan was moved by Ms. Shea and seconded by Ms. Kinsella; the presiding officer called the vote and declared the motion approved (the transcript does not include a roll-call tally). Mr. Wack said the adopted budget will be effective July 1, 2026, and that the full budget document would be shared with the board at the April 30 meeting.
The board’s action shifts 62 full-time positions—mostly in English language learner and exceptional education areas—to the county’s hold complement pending final state budget action, with the hope many of those positions can be restored if additional state aid becomes available. Other line-item changes Mr. Wack noted include a roughly 4% increase in debt service tied to prior capital projects, a 1.7% decrease in the school nutrition fund, and a 0.8% increase in state and federal special revenue budgets.
The board moved on to a set of leave-policy items on the consent agenda after the vote.
