Hampshire County Board approves FY 2026–27 budget despite reserve shortfall

The Hampshire County Board of Education approved the district’s budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 at its May 18 meeting. The motion to approve was made on the recommendation presented by the superintendent and seconded; the budget passed on a voice vote.

Miss Hott, the staff member who presented the documents to board members, said the packet included required personnel-action forms and state submittals and that the board will later transmit the budget to the state. She told members the district’s contingency reserve currently totals about $150,000 while the required 5% contingency should be $1,642,473.96, and she described measures under consideration—selling surplus items, carefully timing purchases and exploring combinations of bus purchases and leases—to raise the reserve and protect future reimbursements.

Board discussion noted that personnel costs make up the lion’s share of the budget and that cutting some services would be difficult. Staff emphasized that some purchases tied to student safety or regulatory compliance may still be necessary despite reserve pressure. The finance presentation included an explanation that reimbursements for buses can be lost when vehicles exceed 180,000 miles or 12 years of age; staff outlined scenarios combining purchase and short-term leases to restore reimbursements without a single large up-front outlay.

Why it matters: The budget sets staffing and program decisions for 2026-27 and directly affects reserves that the district must hold to meet state reporting rules. The stated shortfall increases pressure on future personnel and program decisions discussed elsewhere on the agenda.

What happens next: The board approved the budget as presented; staff will submit documents to the state and continue to refine procurement options for buses and other capital items.