West Point superintendent asks council for net $321,859 increase and higher capital fund to cover roofs, staffing and technology

Dr. Larry Frazier Jr., West Point School Superintendent, presented the West Point School District's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget at a joint Town Council and School Board meeting on March 3, asking the Town to raise its annual capital contribution and approving a series of staffing and compensation increases aimed at addressing capacity and instructional needs.

Frazier said the district's basic aid per student rose from $8,447 in FY2026 to a projected $9,462 in FY2027 while enrollment was projected to climb slightly from 790 to 797 students. He told officials the budget prioritizes compensation and benefits, staffing, instructional resources, technology and facilities.

"One hundred percent of West Point Public Schools are fully accredited," Frazier said, citing recent district achievements and academic rankings. He presented a package of priority additions totaling $726,000 that includes a 2% step and salary increase for teachers and staff ($176,000); higher health insurance costs ($30,000); operations increases ($200,000); vehicle maintenance ($50,000); technology ($25,000); two reading specialists ($70,000); a gifted teacher ($70,000); an additional middle-school teacher ($70,000); increased substitute pay ($20,000); and higher activity transportation compensation ($15,000).

Frazier said projected state revenue would rise by $404,141 (from $8,291,789 to a projected $8,695,930), reducing the district's net local increase request to $321,859 for FY2027. He also asked the Town to increase its annual capital contribution from $105,000 to $125,000 to seed a capital fund for planned projects.

The capital requests include replacement of the middle- and high-school roof, replacement of HVAC controls, auditorium lighting upgrades, track resurfacing and weight-room improvements. Frazier said the district is updating its Capital Improvement Plan and is conducting a Community Growth Study to inform longer-term facility decisions.

School Board member Leslie-Ann Sturtz said the district has postponed many of the requested items for several years and that special-education and English-language-learner enrollments have increased. Councilmember Johnny Nein asked whether ELL students exit the program during the year; Frazier called on Dr. Hauser to respond. Dr. Hauser said students do exit ELL services during the year but that, in recent years, students have entered the program at a wider range of ages, including some high-school students with limited English proficiency.

Councilmember Samantha Bohannon asked whether the district intended to commission additional expansion plans; Frazier said staff will first review growth data, demonstrate interim measures taken to manage capacity and then discuss funding availability and next steps. Bohannon expressed concern that replacing roofs and completing other capital work could be rendered redundant if large-scale construction proceeds soon after.

Mayor Joshua T. "Jack" Lawson said the high school and middle school roof is "leaking profusely" and emphasized the roof needs replacement before any further construction. The board and council agreed the Capital Improvement Plan update, expected in late spring, and the Community Growth Study will guide a joint work session this spring to review options including learning cottages, renovation/expansion of existing buildings or new construction.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. The school district will return to the Council later in the spring with CIP updates and recommendations for next steps.