Highland School Board Lays Out Next Years’ Budget For The Public

Monterey, VA – This year’s state budget reductions in public education funding are making it difficult for the school board and county to balance their budgets without raising taxes. The state’s part of the school system budget has been cut this year over $348,000, a 22% reduction. This is the third year in row in which the state has reduced funding for public education. This has forced the school board to make budget cuts, including cuts in personnel.

The school board was able to propose a budget reduction for next year of over $210,000. Some of that reduction came from making the Superintendent position part-time. Another large reduction was possible when the state reduced the school’s required contribution to the state retirement system. All of the school budget categories except technology are reduced in the new budget. The technology category has a 3% increase for next year. It is likely that the board of supervisors can accept the school budget without raising county taxes this year.

There was no public comment on the school budget. The school board unanimously passed its proposed budget and will present it to the county board of supervisors for approval.

The next meeting of the Highland county school board will be Monday, April 12, at 7 PM in the high school library.