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Board declines to approve DIP for 2026–27 amid tight budgets; no action taken
Summary
After a staff presentation showing the Division Supplemental Income Program could cost the district more than $500,000 if offered, the board took no action — which, under policy, means the DIP option will not be offered for 2026–27.
Administration urged caution Monday in offering the Division Supplemental Income Program (DIP) for 2026–27, but the board chose not to approve the program, meaning it will not be offered this cycle.
Greg Cuddy presented DIP background, eligibility and cost projections. He said 83 retirees are currently on DIP and estimated that if all current participants worked their allotted days for 2025–26, the program would cost $695,416. Looking to 2026–27, the projected baseline cost without new participants is $381,777; adding a likely cohort based on recent patterns could raise the cost to about $510,737. "We may have reached a time where it may not be in the best interest of the school division to approve and offer it this particular year," Cuddy said, recommending the board not offer DIP for 2026–27.
Board members discussed trade-offs: DIP can return experienced personnel to classrooms and reduce substitute spending, but it also represents a sizable recurring expenditure during a tight budget year. The board did not move to approve DIP; under board policy, offering DIP requires explicit board approval, so taking no action means the program will not be available for the 2026–27 cycle. Staff said the decision is not permanent and the program could be restored in a future year if fiscal conditions permit.
Separately, the board approved a small, required pay-scale update to meet Virginia’s new minimum wage (Jan. 1, 2026) for three hourly step combinations; the change affects 14 employees and carries an estimated cost of $2,189 for the remainder of the fiscal year.
