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Prince William County School Board finalizes FY27 budget markup, adds FTEs and pre-K design funding
Summary
At a March 11 work session the Prince William County School Board reviewed and finalized markup of the FY27 budget and CIP, including 28 additional full-time positions, a roughly $4 million pre-K center design line, transportation and athletics investments, and a plan to vote on the budget next week.
Prince William County School Board members met in a March 11, 2026 work session to finalize markup of the fiscal year 2027 operating budget and capital improvement program.
School officials framed the session around uncertain state and county revenues, noting a potential reset of the local composite index (LCI) that staff said could reduce state funding for the division. Chief Financial Officer Shaquille Yousef told the board a preliminary estimate suggested an LCI change ‘‘from a 37 to a 40 percent’’ basis could reduce state revenues by about $40 million, though he characterized that as an early, preliminary estimate.
The board reviewed staff-recommended markup items intended to align the budget with the district’s Elevate 2030 strategic plan. The markup presented and discussed includes: - 28 additional full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) to be included in the markup (CFO figures in the transcript varied when reporting totals); - a technical adjustment to the FY27–31 CIP to add an architectural design line for a universal pre-K center, estimated in the transcript at about $4,000,000; - 10 additional bus drivers to improve operational stability and support after-school activities; - one full-time theater set coordinator to oversee permitting, set safety inspections and coordination with the county; - additional high school athletic trainers (one added trainer for each high school to approach regional parity) and supplements to support girls wrestling, girls flag football and boys volleyball; and - two additional community safety officers (CSOs) to raise elementary-level coverage from the 18 CSOs reported in the transcript to 20, to serve roughly 62 elementary schools.
During discussion, board members asked whether some positions (notably athletic trainers) could be staffed as two part-time roles to ease hiring; staff said the funds must be used for athletic trainers but that splitting a full-time position into part-time employees would be permissible so long as the staffing serves the intended role. Staff also described the theater set coordinator as a full-time position that would inspect lighting, sound and stage safety and coordinate designs with the county.
Board member Justin Wilk read a Conflict of Interest Act statement on record, noting that his spouse is employed by Prince William County Public Schools and disclosing his ability to participate in the budget decision.
Chair remarks and a brief straw poll indicated no major opposition to the markup as presented; the chair said the board will return next Thursday to take the formal vote on the FY27 budget and encouraged members to bring any outstanding concerns to the superintendent before then.
The board then moved into a closed session citing the Code of Virginia to discuss legal matters and personnel, reconvened and certified the closed session under the statutory resolution before adjourning.
Next steps: the board is scheduled to vote on the FY27 budget at its regular meeting next Thursday.
