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Buckingham County Public Schools outlines FY27 budget amid falling enrollment, proposes program and staff changes
Summary
Superintendent and finance staff presented FY27 projections built on a conservative ADM of 1,650, detailed $709,023 in FY26 expenditure reductions, proposed $519,859 in needs‑based personnel additions for FY27, and flagged a potential $383,717 increase in local required effort under the governor's budget scenario.
At a budget work session, Buckingham County Public Schools staff presented a FY27 budget proposal built on a conservative average daily membership (ADM) projection of 1,650 and outlined steps the division has taken to absorb declining state revenue.
Finance presenters said the adopted FY25–26 budget included an ADM of 1,725 and state funding of $20,100,685, while the Governor's 'Caboose' budget estimated ADM at about 16.60 for the division and state funding of $19,883,552. After removing cafeteria and bonus allocations, presenters estimated a projected $400,052 loss in state revenue for the regular fund.
Superintendent said the division reduced recurring personnel costs by $503,957 since July 1, listing a series of staffing changes — eliminated or reduced stipend lines, a part‑time welding instructor, vacant special education and HR positions, several teacher reductions based on pupil‑teacher ratios, and adjustments to hourly pay increases — which together contributed to $709,023 in expenditure reductions for FY26.
Staff proposed needs‑based additions for FY27 totaling $519,859, including a full‑time district gifted teacher ($100,000), a full‑time instructional technology resource teacher ($80,000), two reading specialists to be locally funded after an expiring grant ($177,359), a behavioral specialist, a second school security officer, a school psychologist intern, a lead special education teacher ($80,000), and start‑up costs for a high school marching band program (stipend $2,500 and equipment costs). Presenters said some positions depend on grant awards before being funded.
On capital and non‑personnel needs, staff recommended a $50,000 increase to the division technology operations fund (to be covered by an internal personnel transfer), $20,000 for HR licensure support, $8,000 for pre‑K playground repairs, and roughly $10,000 for an elementary cafeteria key‑card entry upgrade. The division also noted it is ready to proceed with one bus purchase immediately while monitoring final revenue for a second bus purchase. Transportation staff reported work to add air conditioning to buses and expected four retrofits completed before June 30.
Presenters emphasized the role of the Local Composite Index (LCI) in calculating state/local shares. Because the LCI increased, the division said the county’s required local effort under the governor’s scenario would increase by about $383,717. Staff warned the number will change if the House or Senate versions of the state budget are adopted or if ADM changes.
Board members asked for clarification on which employee groups would receive salary increases and on the timing of state bonus payments. Staff explained differences between the governor’s 2% bonus (to be paid in FY25–26) and House/Senate $1,500 one‑time options and recommended waiting until final state budget language is available before finalizing distribution timing.
The board set a joint work session with the Board of Supervisors for March 18 at 6 p.m. to present the proposed FY27 budget and continue deliberations.
The work session ended with a brief statement opposing unification of two schools at this time and the board’s adjournment.
