Aila Boyd
The Craig County School Board unanimously approved its fiscal year 2026-27 budget during its April 14 meeting, incorporating additional county funding and targeted adjustments to limit impacts on staffing and classroom instruction.
The motion to approve the budget was made by Potts Mountain District representative Faye Powers and seconded by Simmonsville District representative Darren Gilreath, the board’s vice chair.
Superintendent Jason Wheeler said the division’s financial outlook improved following an April 2 joint meeting with the Craig County Board of Supervisors. County officials approved an additional $150,000 in funding, on top of about $65,000 initially proposed by county administration.
School officials also redirected roughly $100,000 in secure rural schools funding — typically used for capital expenses such as equipment or bus purchases — into the instructional budget to help preserve personnel.
Together, those changes provided approximately $314,000 in additional funding. The school division had previously requested more than $500,000.
The approved budget totals about $8.42 million in the school fund, based on an average daily membership of 459 students. Instruction accounts for the largest share of spending at just under $6 million, followed by administration, transportation, operations and maintenance, and technology.
Wheeler noted the budget remains subject to final approval by the Board of Supervisors, which is scheduled to adopt its budget May 7.
As proposed, the division will participate in several state-supported initiatives, including compensation supplements, K-3 class size reduction, special education add-ons and technology funding through the Virginia Public School Authority.
All full-time employees will receive a 2% salary increase along with a bonus tied to the state compensation supplement. However, that increase comes as health insurance premiums are set to rise by 8%.
The division will continue offering the Virginia Preschool Initiative but will reduce the program from two classes to one, serving 10 students.
Due to limited local funding, Craig County Public Schools will not participate in at-risk funding, which requires a substantial local match. Wheeler said the division would have needed to contribute more than $300,000 to access roughly $600,000 in state funds.
To balance the budget, the division will eliminate two positions through attrition, meaning the roles will not be filled when current employees leave. No additional staffing reductions are anticipated.
Wheeler said the revised budget reflects extensive work by school staff to minimize impacts on employees and students while maintaining core instructional programs.
A joint budget work session between the school board and Board of Supervisors was scheduled for April 15 at the Craig County Courthouse to continue discussions.