Superintendent presents balanced FY2027 Waynesboro schools budget as residents urge council to reject proposed 3% cap

Superintendent Dr. Compton presented the Waynesboro Public Schools' adopted FY2027 operating budget to the Waynesboro City Council, telling council the division's operating revenue totals $59,542,000, with roughly $34 million from the state, about $3 million in federal funds and roughly $21 million as the city appropriation.

"We are presenting a balanced budget to the city of Waynesboro," Dr. Compton said, while warning the plan still leaves unfunded needs for personnel and facility improvements, including replacing five 30‑year‑old boilers and multiple HVAC units at Kate Collins Middle School.

Why it matters: Council will consider the local budget in the context of a recently recalculated local composite index (LCI) and an unsettled state budget; Dr. Compton said the city may need to amend its budget after the General Assembly and governor finalize the state budget. The presentation outlined priorities to retain and recruit staff, provide resources for students with intensive needs and maintain school facilities.

Budget details and tradeoffs: Dr. Compton said the division budget includes a general 3% salary increase across employee groups and that salaries and benefits make up about 82% of expenditures. He described an estimated $3,000,000 increase in expenditures driven by salaries, benefit cost increases and some additional positions; he also identified about a dozen positions that could be reduced through attrition. On facilities, he flagged an approximate $450,000 price to install weapons detectors across school buildings and a multi‑million‑dollar estimate (about $2.9M–$3.0M) to replace aging HVAC at KCMS.

Residents press council on funding cap: During citizen comment, many speakers told council a proposed 3% cap on the annual growth of local school funding would amount to a cut over time. "I'm here tonight to speak in favor of not putting a cap of any form on the funding formula," said resident Tom Manival. Nicole Snyder said, "When we cap the funding, we're not just tightening a budget, we're closing doors," and Darcy Martin said a 25‑year simulation showed Waynesboro schools would have received about $43,500,000 less under a 3% cap.

Voices from the community: Parents, educators and students described what they called tangible consequences if growth were limited—fewer teachers and coaches, reduced programs such as swimming and track, higher turnover among experienced staff, and weaker supports for high‑need students. "The 3% cap would devastate our school system," one commenter said. Several speakers urged council to remove the proposed cap or to prioritize closing the city revenue gap rather than locking in a limit on school funding.

What happens next: Dr. Compton said the school division submitted the adopted budget to the city (required by city code on the fourth Monday in March) and that the division may return with amendments after the state budget is finalized. Council did not take action to adopt any changes to the local school appropriation during this meeting. The presentation and public comments will inform council's ongoing budget discussions and any future amendments.

Sources: Presentation by Superintendent Dr. Compton (presentation to Waynesboro City Council) and public comment from multiple residents during the March meeting.