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Staunton City Schools outline FY2027 budget as enrollment rises and special‑education needs grow
Summary
School leaders presented the FY2027 funding request showing a roughly $1.46M local increase under the formula, six new teaching positions, and measures to address peak enrollment and rising special‑education demand; staff said ADM growth and federal funding uncertainty complicate projections.
School officials presented a condensed FY2027 budget briefing to the Staunton City Council and School Board during an April 9 joint work session, highlighting rising enrollment, growing special‑education needs, and capital priorities.
The local contribution to schools under the two‑year rolling formula is projected to increase by about $1.46 million (7.7% local increase) for FY2027. Schools plan a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for staff and an additional 1% step increase for teachers at step 20 and above; the division also requested six new positions to support higher enrollment. Staff noted federal funding streams are uncertain and that some one‑time sources (like LCI/all‑in funding) are expiring and will require budget realignment.
Enrollment and services: division leadership reported current enrollment of about 2,839 (exceeding earlier projections) with roughly a 150‑student increase this year. Administrators said they have seen roughly a 25% increase in students identified with disabilities since the pandemic, and that more students require higher‑intensity services, increasing cost pressures and staffing demands. The division is using ADM (Average Daily Membership) calculations to estimate state funding and indicated ADM will be trued up after the March 31 headcount.
Capital and capacity: schools identified major CIP priorities including Shelurn renovation (a leading school facility need), with McWain and Bessie elementaries running at or near functional capacity; staff said they are considering mobile units (learning cottages with bathrooms) and boundary changes as temporary or medium‑term solutions while a capacity study completes next month.
What happens next: the schools and city finance staff said the FY2027 requests will be part of the city’s proposed general fund budget and will be considered during the council’s April 23 meeting. No formal budget vote occurred during the joint work session.
