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Caroline County reviews $81.3 million general fund budget as educators press for staff and space
Summary
At a May 26 public hearing the Board reviewed the proposed FY2026–27 budget — General Fund $81,321,930 — and heard multiple school staff and parents urging funding for literacy positions, modular classrooms to address severe overcrowding, and additional CTE and transportation staff. The Board set a target adoption date of June 9, 2026.
County Administrator Charles M. Culley Jr. presented the proposed FY2026–27 budget to the Caroline County Board of Supervisors on May 26, reporting a General Fund of $81,321,930 (a 7.17% increase over FY26) and a total all‑funds budget of $190,439,777 (7.84% increase). The county noted a real estate tax rate change adopted earlier this spring from 52¢ to 58¢ and proposed several new positions, including public safety and public works roles. No transfer from the unrestricted general fund balance was proposed.
The public hearing drew a long set of speakers from school leadership, teachers and parents who urged greater local investment in schools. Lydell Fortune, representing the School Board, asked the Board to fully support the budget and noted Caroline’s rank in local school funding. Multiple speakers — including school literacy specialists and administrators — urged funding for literacy positions required by the Virginia Literacy Act. Several administrators and parents described overcrowding at Lewis & Clark Elementary School and urged the Board to approve modular classrooms immediately and to plan for a long‑term new elementary school. Other requests included additional career and technical education staff, a dedicated CTE coordinator, a reading specialist, a math coach, and funding for a new transportation routing system to address capacity and service issues.
During follow‑up questions, Supervisors Thomas and Black asked the County Administrator for clarifications on General Fund transfers, the Utility Fund’s self‑sustainability, and details of the proposed compensation plan. Supervisor Underwood provided comparative school‑spending data and Superintendent Dr. Sarah Calveric answered questions about average daily membership versus enrollment and growth in special education services. The Board noted it could not adopt the budget until at least seven days after the public hearing and set a target adoption date of June 9, 2026.
The meeting also included a related formal action: the Board approved supplemental appropriations to the FY2025/26 school budget totaling $1,017,147, composed of multiple grants and SOQ bonus funds described by Marcia Stevens, Chief Operations Officer for Caroline County Public Schools. County Attorney Christopher Mackenzie clarified the appropriation applied to the remaining grant requests previously presented; the motion to approve was moved by Supervisor Nancy L. Long, seconded and carried unanimously.
What happens next: staff will provide requested follow‑up numbers on dual enrollment and associate degree completions from Germanna Community College and the Board will consider final adoption of the FY2026–27 budget at its June 9 meeting.
