Buckingham County school board approves 4% raise plus step for contracted employees

The Buckingham County School Board voted unanimously to approve a motion to apply a 4% salary increase plus a step on current salary scales for contracted employees as part of its FY27 budget plan.

A board member moved to adopt the 4% increase with the caveat that the board could revisit the decision if budget conditions changed. "Madam chair, I move that we adopt the 4% salary increase plus step on the current scales," the member said before the motion was seconded and put to a vote. The chair called for hands and declared the motion unanimous: "That's unanimous. Motion carries."

Presenters clarified the motion applies to contracted employees only. "It's contracted only," the presenter said when asked whether the 4% covered noncontracted staff. Several board members raised concerns about hourly and noncontracted employees — particularly substitutes and bus drivers — and urged the board to seek additional options to support them. One member said percentage increases have limited impact on low‑wage hourly staff and suggested flat‑rate adjustments as an alternative.

Superintendent and finance staff told the board that the district has already taken steps to reduce recurring personnel expenditures and that some flexibility might come from vacancies and staff turnover. The superintendent reminded members the board could revisit scales later in the budget calendar if additional local revenue became available.

The board’s action reflects the version of the FY27 proposal presented at the work session; it does not by itself finalize the full FY27 budget pending further review with the county and final state budget outcomes. The board scheduled a joint budget work session with the Board of Supervisors for March 18 at 6 p.m. to present the proposed budget and continue deliberations.