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Superintendent reports enrollment dip and FY27 uncertainty; says $1,500 bonuses issued
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Parish told the board the division distributed a $1,500 bonus to contracted employees, reported final spring enrollment of 6,639 (about 6,378 in-person), flagged a 22.5% rise in fuel costs and a new $220,000 equipment purchase, and warned that final FY27 allocations hinge on the state budget.
Superintendent Dr. Parish told the Washington County School Board that the division issued a $1,500 bonus to contracted employees during the May 22 payroll and that final spring enrollment came in at 6,639 students, including virtual learners; in-person enrollment was reported at about 6,378.
Dr. Parish said the in-person enrollment was below the division’s projection of 6,450 and that the shortfall will reduce state revenue tied to student counts. Despite the reduction, he said the division managed to fund the bonus with assistance from the board of supervisors and remained on track for a balanced FY26 year-end. He cautioned that the FY27 budget remains uncertain until the governor and General Assembly finalize state allocations.
He also reported operational pressures: fuel costs rose about 22.5 percent this spring, and the draft FY27 budget includes a $220,000 heavy-equipment simulator for a new career-technical class. The superintendent said the FY27 budget currently assumes a 2 percent raise across salary scales but could move to 3 percent depending on the Senate version of the state budget; any midyear change would likely require a budget amendment.
Dr. Parish described an existing three-way cost split for an interchange program through Highlands Community Services; Smith County’s announced withdrawal means Washington County expects to cover an additional share of roughly $89,000 to continue participation. He said transportation time for Smith County students, not dissatisfaction with services, motivated Smith County’s departure.
"We did get our $1,500 bonus out to all of our contracted employees," Dr. Parish said, adding the division is monitoring enrollment, fuel, and prescription costs as administrators finalize year-end balances. He told board members the division hopes to approve the FY27 budget at the June 25 meeting but may need to return with amendments if state allocations change.
No formal board action was taken on these budget items at the meeting; staff will return with updated figures as the state process concludes.
