Stafford County School Board adopts provisional FY27 budget and authorizes certification for SOQ bonus

The Stafford County School Board voted unanimously to adopt a provisional FY27 budget and to authorize the superintendent to certify for a state Standards of Quality (SOQ) bonus, actions the board took after a two-part discussion about a $3.8 million funding gap and how to prioritize school openings and staff compensation.

Dr. Smith, speaking for division staff, said the state bonus would provide roughly $3.6 million in one-time funds—about $1,500 per SOQ position—but requires a local match of approximately $1.8 million. "We have it in writing that we can change the certification and we can just return the funds without any penalty or issue," Dr. Smith said, urging the board to certify now and decide on appropriation later if the local match is not available.

The nut of the budget discussion centered on a shortfall between the school board's request and the county transfer. The board had requested an $18.5 million local increase; the Board of Supervisors adopted a $15.1 million transfer, leaving a roughly $3.4 million gap. Rising fuel costs and other adjustments increase the shortfall to about $3.87 million, Dr. Smith reported, noting total projected revenue of $525,914,697.

To close the gap while preserving priorities, staff proposed a combination of targeted reductions, deferrals and staffing adjustments. The board emphasized three priorities: opening three planned new schools, maintaining an average salary increase target of 4.75 percent, and protecting licensed staff. To support those goals, staff proposed adding one licensed elementary interventionist per school (funded by adjusting paraprofessional staffing), shifting certain positions to grant funding, and deferring some non-licensed additions until the state budget is finalized.

On staffing, the proposal would reduce about 38 general education paraprofessional FTEs (approximately $1.7 million) while creating licensed interventionist positions. Dr. Smith said human resources has identified vacancies that would allow affected paraprofessionals to be reassigned and that the plan would not remove individuals from employment, though reassignment could require placement at different schools. Board members pressed for clarity on the calculation rules (reading-plan counts, rounding, and exceptions); Dr. Smith said schools could request staffing exceptions if warranted.

The board also identified a set of items to defer until the state budget is adopted—middle-school SSOs, cyclical bus replacements, and some textbook/instructional-material purchases—so those costs would not be assumed until funding certainty improves. The superintendent said the priority if additional state funding arrives will be to reinstate deferred items first and then return to the board for decisions about restoring deeper cuts.

On the SOQ bonus, members repeatedly noted that certification is contingent on securing the local match. One member summarized the board's intent: certify now to preserve the funding option, but only appropriate and distribute bonuses if the $1.8 million local share becomes available. Dr. Smith noted the certification deadline and the division's need to act promptly.

The board voted by voice/roll call to adopt the provisional FY27 budget and to authorize the superintendent to complete the SOQ certification; both motions passed unanimously. The board adjourned and scheduled follow-ups, including returning to the board for any appropriation or reinstatement decisions if state funds materialize.

The next procedural step is for staff to return with the superintendent's plan specifying potential local funding sources, how deferred items would be reinstated, and any required appropriation motions once state budget action is final.