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Board approves amended $143.8 million school budget after late state boost, sets aside reserve positions to ease class sizes
Summary
Bedford County School Board unanimously approved an amended FY budget after a late state appropriation of $1,216,894 that allowed a 4% COLA for employees; the board also authorized holding reserve positions to respond to unusually large elementary class sizes and directed staff to seek final appropriation from the county board.
The Bedford County School Board on July 2026 voted to approve an amended fiscal‑year budget that reflects a late state increase and creates temporary reserve capacity for staffing and redistricting needs.
Mrs. Purvis moved the amendment, and Mr. Holbrook seconded. Board members registered a unanimous voice vote in favor after staff read fund totals: operating fund $129,520,425; school maintenance projects $7,689,650; textbook fund $1,205,642; nutrition fund $5,339,040; grand total $143,754,757. Staff said the amendment now goes to the Bedford County Board of Supervisors on July 28 for appropriation.
Why it matters: Finance staff told the board the division ended the fiscal year about $846,000 over budget on the revenue side but $2.1 million under budget on expenditures, producing a projected ending balance near $1.4 million after setting aside required matching funds for state‑issued bonuses. The unexpected state funds enabled the division to move from a planned 3% to a 4% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees; staff said the additional untethered state dollars and district matching will cover the near‑term increase.
What the board approved: In addition to the COLA, executive staff recommended and the board approved setting aside roughly $326,617 for reserve classroom support positions (estimated about $82,000 per position all‑in) to be used if enrollment and class assignments create unusually large classes this fall. Staff framed the reserve as a one‑year lever to respond quickly while a countywide redistricting study is completed.
Financial context: Mr. Heckler, presenting unaudited year‑end results, warned that some revenue timing — notably two large Medicaid/Medicare reimbursements — affected the snapshot and that final audited numbers could change. He said the self‑insured health fund appears to end the year with a balance reported at approximately $1.3 million but that much of that reflects timing of payroll and June liabilities. The nutrition fund is close to breakeven but faces rising costs as state waivers on Styrofoam trays expire, requiring more expensive disposables or investment in dishwasher capacity.
Next steps: Staff said they will monitor early August enrollment and the first 10 days of school to determine whether reserve positions are required; if not used, the funds will be reallocated (potentially to the health fund or maintenance reserve). The board also asked staff to present more detailed recommendations on how one‑time and recurring revenues should be balanced in future budgets.
The board’s amended budget action was moved to the Board of Supervisors for appropriation on July 28.
