News Story

The Board of Supervisors approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year that provides millions of dollars in additional funding for Henrico County Public Schools, despite a drop in state aid for education that was $12.3 million below initial estimates.

The county’s overall $1.4 billion general fund budget for fiscal year 2026-27 provides $789 million for HCPS. That’s an increase of $25 million, with local dollars accounting for nearly 98% of the additional funding.

In finalizing the plan Tuesday, supervisors pushed back against what they described as misinformation circulating among some on the School Board and others in the community that the county isn’t sufficiently funding education.

“If there is a need from schools, we try to meet it,” Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson said. “We make sure schools are funded, so when there is a discourse about the Board of Supervisors not funding schools, that’s offensive.”

As examples of their support for education, the supervisors noted the county’s meals tax has generated $340 million since 2014, with all funds reserved for HCPS’ operating and capital needs. In addition, the county continues to fund HCPS at levels far above state-required levels. It’s also assuming responsibility for certain school system costs – including middle school field maintenance and oversight of HVAC maintenance – so HCPS officials can devote more attention to education.

Brookland District Supervisor Dan Schmitt took issue with claims that the supervisors had cut funding for about 50 teaching positions for English Language Learners. By law, he and others noted, the supervisors can fund education only by providing funds to HCPS in a lump sum – as Henrico does – or in amounts associated with broad categories of spending. It cannot dictate line-item expenses, such as teacher positions.

Schmitt suggested the School Board revisit its budget to find the $6 million needed to fund its target number of ELL positions. He noted that would mean an adjustment of 0.667% of the school budget, which totals $914.3 million across all funds. He said he agreed those positions should be a priority.

“I’m very, very, very confident that a body of elected officials and a wonderful staff over at schools could figure out how to prioritize that, if that’s what they wanted,” he said.

Henrico’s budget takes effect for the year beginning July 1 and retains all current tax rates. The real estate tax rate remains 83 cents per $100 of assessed value. Water and sewer fees will increase by 5% to support annual operating, debt service and capital costs associated with water and sewer projects. The typical residential customer, who uses about 10 centum cubic feet – about 748 gallons – of water, can expect an average increase of $7.70 every two months. More information is available on the budget webpage.

The agenda and video of Tuesday’s meeting are available on the board’s webpage.