Madison County schools present level-funded FY27 budget and urge voter education on proposed 1% visitor tax

Madison County Public Schools told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that it will present a superintendent-recommended FY27 budget that seeks level local funding even as student needs and some costs rise. Miss Graham, speaking for the district, said the packet to the board reflects what the superintendent would like to do but has not yet been approved by the school board.

"We're coming asking for level funding," Miss Graham said, adding the division was sharing its priorities so the county understands "what you're getting for your investment." She highlighted recent academic and extracurricular successes, noting Madison County High School was named a Distinguished High School in Region 4 and that the division had no schools identified as needing intensive support.

Why it matters: The school presenters said the division is facing two conflicting pressures — a state-driven increase in 'basic aid' after a long-standing support cap was lifted, and a decline in average daily membership that reduces future state funding tied to enrollment. At the same time, special education and ESL enrollments are rising, creating requests for additional staff.

What the schools asked for: The district requested several targeted positions to address classroom needs, including two additional special-education teachers, one additional ESL teacher, two inclusion aides at the primary school, and an additional K-5 classroom teacher depending on class-size distributions. Presenters also described a $50,000 teacher-residency grant with VCU that would fund apprentices and mentors for a grow-your-own pathway.

On state funding mechanics and raises: Miss Crop explained the state'funding rules and how Standards of Quality (SOQ) positions affect local obligations. She said the lifting of the support cap is the main cause of the recent basic-aid increase, and board members pressed staff on how fractional SOQ positions and a possible state pay raise (scenarios ranged in discussion from 2% to 4%) would translate into local-match costs.

On capital needs and the 1% tax: Board members and staff discussed pending state legislation that would let localities add a 1% transient or 'visitor' sales tax, exempt groceries in many drafts, and dedicate proceeds to school construction or renovation. Mr. Davidson and others noted nine similar counties already use that option to fund school projects and said voter education and transparent financial modeling will be essential before committing to a referendum.

"This money can be used for school renovation and construction, property acquisition for a new school," a supervisor said while urging a careful public outreach plan. County staff agreed to prepare modeling that shows where the money would go, how it would affect property taxpayers, and safeguards ensuring the funds are used for capital, not recurring operating costs.

Next steps: The schools will finalize their board-approved budget recommendation; county staff will produce financial models showing the fiscal effects of the 1% option and of different cost-sharing scenarios for raises and benefits. Supervisors said they want clear voter-facing materials and a better sense of projected revenues before deciding whether to place a referendum on a local ballot.

Ending: The board took no formal vote on the schools' budget during the work session; presenters and supervisors said more modeling and a formal school-board recommendation will precede any county action.