Caroline County proposes 6¢ property tax hike; public hearing draws urgent pleas for school seats and literacy funding

Caroline County officials opened a public hearing Tuesday on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, during which county staff outlined a general‑fund proposal of $81,321,930 and a recommended 6¢ real‑estate tax increase intended to cover rising personnel and capital costs.

The administration said the package includes new hires — three full‑time sheriff deputies, three firefighters/rescue personnel, a plan reviewer and several public‑works positions — and a compensation plan that averages about a 4.25% increase for many employees when step increases are included. County staff also proposed $977,895 to replace eight school buses and capital transfers supporting school operations.

The spending plan drew sustained public comment from educators and parents who said the budget must prioritize classroom capacity and literacy supports. "These positions are not additions for the sake of adding a position — they are essential to stabilizing daily evidence‑based intervention and scaling that success," said Amara Perkins, a literacy support specialist, describing local gains on state literacy assessments that she said would be threatened by cuts.

School leaders described overcrowding at Lewis and Clark Elementary and other buildings. "We have to use resource rooms to hold students of 22 to 25," said Cindy Brown, principal at Lewis and Clark, who reported more than 1,000 students in her building and called for additional seats, trailers or a new elementary school. Teacher Shelby Boltz said assemblies have to be split because the facility would otherwise exceed capacity.

School Board Chair Lydell Fortune urged context for the debate, saying Virginia’s local composite index sets a minimum state expectation but does not cover the true cost of operating modern schools. "Supporting public schools and supporting public safety are both essential responsibilities of local government," Fortune said.

Several speakers — including career and technical education staff and the school transportation supervisor — asked the board to fund additional CTE teachers, a CTE coordinator and a modern routing system to reduce ride times and address driver shortages.

Board members asked staff how the county would respond if the state misses its June 30 budget deadline. Staff recommended adopting a level‑funded school budget if necessary and using fund balance or short‑term appropriations to keep schools operating until state reimbursements resume.

The board did not take final action on the overall FY2027 budget at the meeting; county staff said the board may adopt the budget at its June 9 meeting after the statutory seven‑day notice and once state budget figures are finalized. The public hearing record remains open for the board’s consideration.

The county’s next procedural step is the board’s formal adoption vote, currently targeted for June 9; any changes the board makes before adoption could alter the tax rate or program funding.