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Board agrees to commit $3 million of FY2025 unspent school funds for identified projects
Summary
Shenandoah County administrators and supervisors agreed to a resolution committing $3.0 million of the $5.4 million FY2025 unspent local school funds back to Shenandoah County Public Schools for architectural and engineering services for projects identified by the district, preserving an estimated fund balance near 17.1%.
The Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors on April 28 considered a request from Shenandoah County Public Schools (SCPS) to return $5.4 million in unspent Fiscal Year 2025 local funds, and approved a resolution that commits $3.0 million back to the schools for identified capital projects.
County Administrator Evan Vass told the board the local portion of FY2025 unspent funds totaled $5.4 million and described a resolution that ‘‘says the $3 million will be committed back to the Schools for their identified projects and lays out how it will happen.’’ Vass said the schools would draw portions of the funds as projects require them and must follow procurement rules; he added staff used an estimated cost within about 5% of average ranges to estimate engineering service costs.
The commitment was framed as a way to preserve the county’s fund balance while allowing SCPS to proceed with architectural and engineering work. Chairman Tim Taylor clarified that committing $3.0 million would leave the county’s fund balance at about 17.1%, a figure Vass confirmed. Supervisor David Ferguson asked how overages would be handled if project costs exceed estimates; Vass said the schools would draw incrementally and manage procurements accordingly.
Vice Chairman Dennis Morris said he supported the approach because it ‘‘will open communication between the two Boards,’’ and Supervisor Steve Baker emphasized prioritizing existing facilities. The board did not change tax rates as part of the action. The resolution committing $3.0 million passed as part of the board’s consideration of non-action items; no formal roll call vote on this specific line was recorded separately from the consent of the item in the meeting minutes.
The next steps are administrative: SCPS is expected to proceed with design and procurement steps for the identified projects and draw down committed funds as milestones and procurement outcomes allow.
