Committee schedules April 23 public hearing on FY27 school budget; 2% salary increase reflected

County Administrator Tadlock told the Northumberland County Joint Finance Committee on March 26 that the Board of Supervisors scheduled a public hearing on the School Board budget for April 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The budget as noticed will reflect a proposed 2% salary increase for teachers and staff; finance staff will work with the School Division to prepare figures for the Board of Supervisors.

Tadlock explained that the Board must wait one week after the public hearing before taking specific action and that work sessions may be scheduled during that interval. He said if a subsequent state action changes the County budget by 1% or more, another public hearing would be required for that portion of the budget.

Superintendent Karen Leslie said the division is starting to issue contracts and that issuing contracts before budget approval is legally permissible when the contract language notes the final budget could alter compensation. Dr. Anne Curran said she could have the updated figures ready for the Board's regular meeting on April 9, 2026. Committee members also raised questions about whether contracts mention health insurance and how Board of Equalization timing and reassessment years affect budget timing.