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Davie County Schools outlines $78M budget, warns of enrollment dip and seeks local support for capital projects
Summary
Dr. Belcher presented the school system's proposed FY26‑27 budget (~$78M), said the district expects to be funded for about 91 fewer students (roughly $462,000 reduction), outlined proposed capital spending including a $3.2M capital package and preschool expansion, and said the advanced manufacturing lab remains $1.7M–$2.3M short of funding.
Dr. Belcher presented Davie County Schools’ proposed fiscal year 2026‑27 budget to county commissioners on Thursday, asking the board to keep local funding and capital support in mind as state funding details finalize.
The superintendent said the district is working with a $78,000,000 proposed operating budget, with roughly $49.7 million expected from state sources, approximately $2.5 million from federal funds and about $15.5 million requested from the county.
Why it matters: the school system’s budget request drives the county’s education allocation and includes capital projects (roofs, track resurfacing, LED lighting and a preschool expansion) that require local cooperation and funding.
Dr. Belcher said state salary schedule changes in the draft state framework push larger raises toward early‑career teachers — a front‑loaded approach that increases costs for the district. “On the average we are anticipating an 8% increase,” he said, noting the schedule compresses pay growth in later career steps and will shift some cost burden to local funds.
The district told commissioners it expects to be funded for 91 fewer students in K‑12 next year, which equates to about a $462,000 reduction in state funding. The district has managed the reduction largely through attrition, eliminating six classroom teacher positions and one central office position and adjusting several administrative roles.
Capital priorities include a proposed $3.2 million capital package for projects such as roof replacements, resurfacing athletic tracks (the Pine Brook roof was named specifically for replacement), LED lighting upgrades and a preschool expansion planned at the former Mud Pies facility. The preschool expansion would add up to 89 child seats and the district has budgeted $225,000 in one‑time funds for furniture, technology and playground needs; the program would operate as an enterprise (private‑pay) model and not use state or federal education dollars.
Dr. Belcher said an advanced manufacturing lab is a high priority but remains between $1.7 million and $2.3 million short of full funding; the district is pursuing a Golden Leaf grant and potential federal funds and foundation support. “We are hoping we got our fingers crossed for that,” he told the board.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about enrollment forecasts, the demography underlying ADM projections and staff levels. Dr. Belcher said enrollment projections combine past demographer work and more recent local development trends and that the district can manage projected growth within existing classroom capacity though common spaces (cafeterias, bus capacity) may see pressure.
What’s next: the school system and county will continue budget conversations during the county’s public hearing schedule and county budget process; commissioners expressed appreciation for the district’s fiscal prudence and asked staff to continue coordination on capital priorities and potential local support.
