Leaders OK budget for FY 2024-25

AMHERST COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

AMHERST — A 4% pay raise and an employer contribution increased to Amherst County Public Schools workers' health insurance are included in the division's fiscal year 2024-25 budget the county school board unanimously approved March 14.

Superintendent William Wells presented a proposed budget of $63.6 million based on Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed figures but as of the March 14 meeting, state figures weren't finalized. Wells said ACPS has been given information from the Virginia Department of Education that it should receive an added $1.6 million on top of the proposed governor's budget, and he believes that will adequately cover the 4% pay raise without the division needing to request additional local funds from the Amherst County Board of Supervisors.

Wells' initial budget proposal included a 1% bonus for staff, but Amherst County School Board members made clear they wanted to go above that mark. He presented the board four options Thursday that included a mix of 3% and 4% pay raises and other measures. The option the board decided on includes a 1% pay increase for bus assistants and cafeteria workers, pay scale adjustments and increasing the employer contribution for health insurance by 7.5% to 8%.

Wells said nine positions are being added into the operations budget, but some have been funded through state and federal grants in previous school years.

As those grant funds get spent down the division is moving those positions back into the operational budget, Wells said. The upcoming budget adds three teaching positions, a teacher assistant and five posts already in existence are being covered through grant money, he said.

The division's current budget is $63.9 million and includes $16.4 million in local funding from the county, which is remaining level this upcoming year. Just more than 75% of the schools' spending is on instruction and the remaining is spent on operations and maintenance, transportation, administration and health.

Wells told the board the option it selected will provide an extra percentage point in pay that other local school divisions are not doing.

"If we went with the 4% pay raise and adjusted pay scale, we will be more competitive," Wells said.

Board members said they prefer the option that best positions the division to retain staff. Wells said this fall options would be considered to find more savings in health coverage and possibly lower premiums that would lead to more take-home pay for employees.

ACPS also is working on salary scale adjustments for employees with less than a year to 19 years of experience in the division with a focus on other levels of tenure in future budget considerations.

Board members spoke of budgeting in a way that makes a funding "cliff" less painful next year with a forecasted deficit. Vice Chair Abby Thompson said the board and administrative staff need to be strategic in priorities and sharpen pencils in finding ways to offset what is expected to be a deficit next year well exceeding half a million dollars.

"My worry is the cliff for next year," Thompson said.

Wells said no matter which of the four options the board chose a shortfall is expected heading into the 2025-26 school year based on projections. Board member David Childress asked if that causes Wells concern.

"I'm always concerned when it comes to money," Wells said.

Childress said his concern is passing a budget knowing a shortage is on the horizon and not taking that to the county board of supervisors.

"We want to be good partners and respective of the process," Childress said.

Thompson said the board needs to make pay scale adjustments for experience levels beyond 19 years a priority in the future.

Childress told Wells and administrative staff the budget wasn't easy, and the board is looking to make their jobs easier down the road by making sure the division recruits and retains quality staff.

Board member Dawn Justice said she felt the "daunting" budget work was collaborative, mutually respectful and she expressed appreciation for staff's efforts.

In board member Priscilla Liggon's view, the budget passed meets the board's objective.

"We were trying to keep our employees happy with compensation, which is important, but we're trying to fill in some gaps of where we fall short in the region," Liggon said. "We've done that, and we tried to maintain a position that keeps us where we need to be for instruction. Those were the three big objectives and I think we met those."

Liggon said she was not on board with an option that would have given the administration a 3% pay raise while everyone else got the 4%, adding those staff members work hard and deserve the full amount as well.

Board member Eric Orasi said he feels the board made the best decision it could.

"I know the budget was a struggle," Orasi said. "It's not going to get any easier, unfortunately."

Wells said staff finetuned the budget plan and presented it to the Amherst County Board of Supervisors during its March 19 meeting.

The county's fiscal year 2025 budget includes $57.2 million in projected revenue, which is $987,600 above the forecasted expenditures of $56.2 million, according to figures presented at the supervisors' March 5 work session. The county budget plan includes a staff-recommended 3.7% pay raise for county employees and no tax increases.

Justin Faulconer (434) 473-2607 jfaulconer@newsadvance.com