Middlesex schools trim staff, buy security system and plan bus, HVAC replacements

Administrators said they will eliminate one high school mathematics position through master schedule optimization and remove a Pre-K Coordinator position as the Virginia Preschool Initiative processes have matured. The division said those staffing changes were made "without negatively impacting student learning outcomes" and that resulting savings would offset unavoidable cost increases.

To reduce recurring operating expenses, staff proposed replacing an annual $100,000 lease of the Evolve weapons-detection system with a one-time $60,000 purchase of the Open Gate security system, to be funded through the CIP. Capital requests also included $305,000 for two replacement diesel buses, rooftop HVAC unit replacements at the high school, elementary school water-heater replacements, and track and pole-vault repairs to meet sanctioned competition standards.