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Board hears public budget concern and examines charter-bus proposal as finance staff flags tight transportation and maintenance costs
Summary
A resident urged fiscal restraint as the board begins FY25–26 budget planning; staff proposed a charter-bus policy for trips exceeding two hours (~120 miles) with an estimated $20,000 budget impact, and finance staff warned pupil transportation and maintenance appropriations look tight compared with last year.
A member of the public, William Steele, urged the school board to consider senior taxpayers and county tax burdens as it drafts the FY25–26 budget and said residents will closely monitor school spending as it proceeds to the Board of Supervisors. Chair Ealy and other board members thanked the commenter and offered follow-up opportunities to discuss the budget process.
Dr. Martin presented a staff recommendation on student travel: charter buses would be recommended for trips exceeding about two hours or roughly 120 miles (examples cited include regional trips to Roanoke, Franklin and other regional opponents). Staff estimated adding charter-bus coverage for qualifying travel in the budget would cost roughly $20,000; the board discussed scope (athletic and academic travel, in-state vs out-of-state) and agreed to consider the recommendation in the upcoming budget process so any change would take effect next school year. The board also noted existing practice: teams making state-level competition currently receive charter buses.
Finance staff reviewed the December 2024 financial report and said the division has collected about 48.6% of budgeted revenue year-to-date and noted transportation and maintenance appropriation lines tend to be variable and tight (last fiscal year ended with transportation near full appropriation). Staff said detailed winter projections are underway and recommended proactive monitoring and potential category transfers in late winter/early spring rather than deferring until the end of the fiscal year.
Why it matters: charter-bus policy and transportation funding affect equity of travel support for extracurricular and academic competitions and have a modest but actionable budget cost; finance warnings about tight appropriations may require intergovernmental discussion before finalizing the FY25–26 budget.
