Isle of Wight school board approves FY2027 budget, amends accounts and accepts $14M construction grant

The Isle of Wight County School Board on March 12 unanimously approved the division’s FY2027 budget and several related financial actions, including requests to reappropriate prior-year funds and to amend the current fiscal year budget to accept a $14 million School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) grant.

Board members voted to add approval of the FY2027 budget to the open agenda and, after staff presentations, approved the budget as presented. Board member Marsh said the package reflects years of carryover items and a long-requested compensation study; others cited special-education staffing and compensation increases as priorities that informed their votes. The motion to approve the FY2027 budget passed with all members recorded as voting yes.

In separate votes the board approved: a request that the county reappropriate $288,433 in FY2025 operating and textbook funds to the school division; approval to reappropriate $578,535 in FY2024–25 grant carryover funds (state, federal and donor funds only); and an amendment to the FY2026 budget to include the $14 million SCAP award. Administrators said the SCAP award represents roughly 20% of an estimated project cost and requires the county to acquire land before funds can be fully encumbered. Dr. Coleman told the board the county is “actively looking for land” and that the district hopes to bring an architect/engineer contract to the board at the next meeting.

All of the motions were seconded and carried unanimously; the clerk recorded individual yes votes for each board member. Administrators said the audit process delayed some reappropriation timing and that higher-than-budgeted average daily membership (ADM) would yield additional state revenue to be reflected in future budget amendments.

The board also approved routine items on the consent agenda, the 2026–27 school calendar and the district’s annual early-retirement incentive program, which allows qualifying retirees to return as substitute teachers in exchange for employer-paid health insurance for limited days.

What’s next: Staff will work with the county on land acquisition and architect selection for projects tied to the SCAP grant and return any required contracting documents and next-phase plans to the board. The business office said it will bring a resolution to amend the budget once ADM adjustments and audit reconciliations are complete.