Pittsylvania County Schools warn of fiscal 'cliff' as state budget delays leave gaps

Pittsylvania County Schools officials on May 12 told the School Board that delays in state and county budgets and the expiration of one-time federal and state relief have created a pressing funding gap for fiscal 2026-27.

Miss Worley, who briefed the board on the division's budget, said the county administrator presented a budget that includes a $1,200,000 increase for the school system — an amount she said is intended to maintain a 6 percent increase over the locally required maintenance of effort. "Currently, we have no budget approved by our state nor do we have a budget approved by our county," Miss Worley said. She added that the division had previously requested $2,100,000 from the county; the county's proposal so far does not include the additional $902,000 the board had earmarked for one-time priorities.

The budget update said the division has included a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment and applicable step increases for staff in contracts that would take effect July 1, and that the division is working to ensure starting salaries meet a new minimum wage. Miss Worley warned that CARES Act and other one-time federal funds have been spent and that by June 30 the division will have expended most additional state one-time funding as well. "So all of the CARES funding from the federal government, all of that has now been spent," she said, adding that enrollment declines (average daily membership) are further pressuring the budget.

As a result, administrators moved previously approved one-time items totaling $902,000 to a year-end list and said they are planning to reduce operations by about $400,000 unless additional state or county funding arrives. Miss Worley said the county plans a public hearing on June 4 and hopes to approve its budget by June 16, while the state budget may arrive later in June; the board will amend its adopted budget once division allocations are finalized.

Superintendent Dr. Stephen Mayhew also noted the district is moving forward with summer projects and contracts while monitoring funding developments. The board took no additional fiscal action at the meeting beyond noting the update and preparing to revisit the adopted budget after state or county allocations are firmed up.

The School Board is scheduled to review budget amendments once the state provides division allocations; county budget actions are set for mid-June.