HEATHSVILLE—The Northumberland County School Board on Monday, December 10, held a public hearing on the fiscal year 2024-25 budget.
“The school board is considering a budget that is level-funded with a baseline of $21,957,411, which is the same amount as the current 2023-24 school budget,” director of instruction Adam Leitzia confirmed this week.
Two community members spoke to the board, including Lynn Stuart, who said the school budget is not just a school issue, but a countywide issue. Stuart noted the school budget can greatly impact other county departments and it is important to ask for what is needed, not what is wanted.
Karen Pica also shared concerns over the budget as she encouraged the board to look for efficiencies that will reduce the overall budget and expenses of the school system.
The board additionally heard a presentation regarding the Governor’s Amended Budget for State Employees.
According to Superintendent Holly Wargo, the amended budget provides an additional 2% raise for state employees, $155 million in general fund support for behavioral health services, $200 million for business-ready sites and site acquisition, $10 million to develop an Inland Port in Southwest Virginia and $150 million towards Interstate 64.
The board also heard an update from Linwood Blizzard on behalf of the joint-finance committee.
According to Blizzard, the committee has identified its scope of work in the short-term to focus on the school budget. The objectives are….
