SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. — The Spotsylvania County School Board will meet Thursday to approve the 2025 fiscal budget for the school system. The board faces tough decisions to make as it works to close a $38.2 million budget shortfall.
In February, the School Board sent a budget to the Board of Supervisors, highlighting a $46 million budget gap. The hope was that the county would help fill a major part of that gap, but that didn't happen.
"We are delivering as best an education as we can for our kids. But honestly, it's sub-standard because we have not received the funds to be able to provide the number of teachers, staff and support," said School Board Vice Chair Nicole Cole during a February work session between the two boards.
The Board of Supervisors provided some additional funds, but not enough to fill the massive funding gap. There are several options on the table to help balance the budget. However, School Board members say they are options that would significantly impact the quality of education in the classroom, and efforts to attract and retain teachers.
"It's reckless and shows either contempt for our students or a willful lack of understanding about what public education requires and should be," said School Board member Belen Rodas.
Those options include layoffs and potential increases to some employee health insurance premiums. That increase could wipe out a cost of living raise teachers are expected to get next year. Other scenarios detailed by county staff suggests moving $3 million in Capital Improvement Program reserves to avoid eliminating some teacher positions.
Any positions that were paid for using pandemic funding will also be eliminated now that the federal money has run out. In addition to that, all new FY2025 initiatives will also be eliminated out of the budget.
School staff recently sent out a survey to employees to get feedback on the possible changes to health insurance options. Those employees will be able to share their thoughts with the board at Thursday night's meeting during a brief public comment session.
The School Board meeting it set to start at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The board is also expected to present an update on the search for a new superintendent, after the previous superintendent, Mark Taylor, was fired by the board in March.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.