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Roanoke school board adopts preliminary 2026–27 categorical budget and 10‑year CIP as students and parents warn of cuts
Summary
The Roanoke City Public Schools board voted March 10 to submit a preliminary 2026–27 categorical budget and to approve a 10‑year capital improvement plan, even as students, PTA leaders and teachers warned that a $16.5 million shortfall could force staff and program reductions. The board also set April 21 as a teacher workday because schools will serve as voting precincts.
The Roanoke City Public Schools board voted unanimously on March 10 to adopt a preliminary 2026–27 categorical budget for submission to the city and approved the district’s 10‑year capital improvement plan, while hearing repeated public pleas to prioritize students as administrators weigh possible cuts.
Community members and students told the board the division is confronting a $16.5 million shortfall after a change in the city funding formula reduced the share of new tax revenue going to schools. “Rono City Public Schools is facing a $16.5 million budget deficit due to changes in the city's funding formula, which reduced the students share of tax revenue from 40% to 34%,” said Christian Bernett, a Patrick Henry High School student and president of the local NAACP youth council.
Why it matters: district leaders said the board must submit a categorical budget by a city deadline while state budget negotiations (House vs. Senate)…
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