Superintendent: city approved $2.1M for LCS; board pulls FY2027 budget adoption for review

The Lynchburg City School Board removed the fiscal-year 2027 budget adoption from its consent agenda after a trustee requested more information and the superintendent explained the local and state funding situation.

"When I brought the proposed budget to you all, it was an increase of $4,500,000 in local money that we were requesting from city council," Superintendent Dr. Majette said. She told trustees the city manager's proposed budget included only $2,100,000 for the district; that $2.1 million covers a 2% pay increase and benefits. She said the city also approved $661,000 in one-time funds for school-level purchases, special-education transportation and about $100,000 for building maintenance and expansion of an alternative learning program, but the adopted amount does not cover other personnel changes the district requested.

Board procedure: at the start of the consent agenda a trustee asked to "pull item number 2 off the consent agenda for discussion" (the FY2027 budget adoption). The board voted to approve the consent agenda with item 2 removed; the pulled item will be handled separately, allowing trustees more time for transparency and review. Several trustees stressed they will continue to press the city council to fund essential needs.

Why it matters: The difference between the district's requested local funding and the city-approved amount leaves several planned investments unfunded; the superintendent said a final picture will not be available until the state budget is set and the board may need to revisit allocations.

Next steps: The superintendent said the city's approval must be accepted by the board and that once the state budget is resolved the board will return to finalize allocations.