County growth to affect New Kent’s school budget for next year; pre-Labor Day start scheduled to begin with FY2024-25

The population boom in New Kent County is expected to have a major impact on the local school’s budget for FY2023-24. And early projects probably aren’t going to forecast the accuracy of how much.

New Kent County Public Schools Director of Finance Haynie Morgheim addressed school board members at Monday night’s meeting. And while the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate present their bills for school funding, not even Morgheim can pinpoint the amount of state funds the school will receive.

Utilizing Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed budget for education, Morgheim says she expects at least $2.4 million in additional revenue from the state. But she also told school board members that they will need to be flexible as well due to the number of projected students.

“We have been conservative with our past budgets,” the finance director said. “Right now, we are budgeting for 3,450 students, but may add somewhere from 10 to 15 more.”

New Kent is on the verge of supplanting Loundon County as the fastest growing locality in Virginia. Because of this, Morgheim has already mapped out a preliminary operating budget of just over $43 million for the upcoming year. But that number is expected to change as Morgheim navigates through school needs.

Among expected proposals will be an additional $1 million in revenue to address expenditure needs, a five-percent salary adjustment that will cost $1.4 million (with the state supplying $788,174), and a possible one-percent bonus. Healthcare costs are expected to rise, and a goal to increase stipends is also on the list of desirables currently. Morgheim’s early projects are $3.2 million more in the forthcoming budget than the current operating one.

A formal presentation and recommendation of the budget is expected to place at the Mar. 6 regular school board meeting.

In another matter addressed by the school board, a proposed calendar will see New Kent’s school year start pre-Labor Day in 2024.

School board members voted unanimously approved the calendar that will see the 2024-25 school year start one week before Labor Day. In 2025-26, the school year will start two weeks prior to Labor Day, and will remain that way until further noticed.

“By doing this, we give families and teachers a two-year notice so that they can make adjustments to their plans,” said District 1 representative and school board chairman Wayne Meade. “We know that by giving them a notice far out, they can make adjustments and plans of vacation around this start.”

One of the main reasons that contributed to the decision is that several regional programs start two weeks prior to Labor Day. Another factor is many school divisions is switching to this format so that the school year may end earlier.