Superintendent outlines FY27 budget factors; district notes Heartsafe designation, vans and facilities repairs

Superintendent Dr. Womack read the superintendent's report at the Feb. 12 meeting, summarizing work the division has done and previewing factors expected to influence the FY27 budget. Dr. Womack told the board a budget work session was held Jan. 15 and cited the local composite index, enrollment trends and state economic conditions — including Governor Youngkin's budget proposal — as high-level variables that could change through the House and Senate processes.

Dr. Womack also said Botetourt County Public Schools has been designated an Adam Heartsafe division after meeting criteria for preparedness to respond to sudden cardiac arrest; the quarterly school nurse meeting was held Feb. 11, and individual schools will be recognized later.

Operational updates reported delivery of two passenger vans to James River and Lord Botetourt high schools to support small-group travel scheduling, a repaired boiler at Colonial Elementary School and HVAC work at Lord Botetourt High School. Maintenance also repaired a water leak at Breckenridge Elementary School and installed a new ice maker at Reed Mountain High School. Technology staff completed a vendor demonstration for a virtual server appliance and assisted bookkeepers with an update to the Munis finance software; Mr. Lee guided the board through a new budget information tab on the division's finance web page.

Board members received the report and later approved routine agenda items. The superintendent's FY27 budget work is ongoing; the board scheduled upcoming budget work sessions in February and March.