Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gloucester County schools present FY2027 proposal that would add staff and safety investments while leaving a multimillion-dollar gap
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Leoo presented a proposed FY2027 school budget emphasizing student achievement, targeted investments in career-technical education and safety, and steps to address declining enrollment; the proposal leaves roughly a $3.7 million shortfall the boards must close through cuts, new revenue, or grants.
Superintendent Dr. Leoo presented the Gloucester County School Board's proposed FY2027 operating budget and 2027–2031 capital improvement plan, highlighting high student performance in several grade-level assessments and a 96.2% on-time graduation rate. He told both boards that enrollment trends and shifts to homeschooling have reduced state funding and that the division is asking for new investments to sustain outcomes.
The proposal includes a mix of recurring and one-time requests: a community engagement coordinator position at the high school (budgeted as an additional FTE, including benefits), an in‑district grant‑writer position to pursue external funding, Chromebook replacement on a multi‑year cycle, increased support for special education, CTE expansions and related equipment, and continued investment in school safety and mental‑health services. The school budget presentation also referenced a recently awarded mathematics innovation grant of $763,175 that will be used to purchase instructional materials.
Dr. Leoo said the package would increase expenditures materially and left a “gap of roughly $3.7 million” between the school request and anticipated available resources, requiring either spending reductions, new revenues, or additional grant awards. School and county officials discussed options including phased staffing adjustments through attrition, targeted capital carryovers, and pursuit of state and federal grants. The superintendent emphasized the district’s long list of capital needs—roof work, HVAC replacements, bus replacement and site work—and said staff will seek efficiency without undermining core instruction.
Board members pressed for specifics on capacity and redistricting and asked whether some roles (for example, community engagement coordinators) are county employees or school employees. Dr. Leoo said several community engagement coordinators are currently county employees and that the board’s proposal included a school‑funded position to provide similar support for the high school; officials agreed the governance and funding source can be worked out collaboratively.
The school board also requested a grant‑writer position and argued that one successful grant award could more than pay for the role. The superintendent said that among the requested investments are technology refreshes (five‑year Chromebook replacement), CTE equipment and instructor days, mental‑health counseling access, and upgrades to safety alert and weapon‑detection systems.
Next steps: the school board will refine its request and the Board of Supervisors will consider the county budget posture and possible revenue options during the county’s advertised budget process. The boards agreed to continue joint discussions, and staff were asked to return with additional detail on specific line items and potential offsets.
