Last night, Dr. Raley presented the Goochland County School Board with his recommendations for the 2023-2024 Budget. His proposal prioritizes the people, the programs, and the initiatives that will help us Build Brighter Futures in our school division and in our community..
The video of his full presentation is available on our website. Citizens are also encouraged to view the presentation. Below is a brief summary of the highlights of his proposal.
Goal 1: Instruction and Lifelong Learning
The priorities that I included in his proposal include:
4 Interventionist positions (1 at BES, 1 at GES, and 2 at RES)
Science teacher for our secondary complex
Reading Specialist at Goochland Middle School
Retaining additional sections to support math instruction at Goochland High School
Goal 2: Inclusive and Engaging Culture
Our talented and dedicated employees are directly responsible for the success of our division, and a significant portion of our budget is dedicated to competitive compensation and benefits for all staff. Dr. Raley has proposed a 5 percent raise for all employees who earn a proficient or exemplary rating on their summative evaluation.
In order to provide the greatest benefit to our employees, he also proposed modest and thoughtful adjustments to employee contributions to health care premiums. This year Goochland County Public Schools faces our most significant overall increase to health care costs in several years at an expected 11% increase. Dr. Raley has recommended the following adjustments-our division's first in several years- to maintain our competitive costs for employees while accomplishing our broader goals in the proposed FY24 budget:
Employees who choose to enroll in the high deductible (HDHP) plan will experience no increase to premiums and will continue to receive a division contribution of $105 monthly toward the Health Savings Account (HSA).
Employees who choose to enroll in the $500 deductible (KA500) plan will see premium increases representing 25% of the overall increase, while GCPS will absorb 75% of the overall increase. This translates to an increase of less than $20 per month at the employee only level of the KA 500 plan.
Employees who choose to enroll in the $250 deductible (KA250) plan will see premium increases representing 50% of the overall increase while GCPS will absorb 50% of the overall increase. This translates to an increase of about $40 per month at the employee only level for the KA 250 plan.
As we approach the open enrollment period in May, Dr. Raley encourages employees to learn more about our plan offerings. Expect communication from Human Resources with more information about educational opportunities in the weeks ahead.
Funded positions for Goal 2 include:
School Social Worker and Parent Engagement Coordinator
Dean of Students position at Goochland Middle School
Maintaining two, full time school counselor positions at Randolph Elementary School
Additional days for one school counselor at Goochland Middle School
Goal 3: Facilities, Resources, and Technology
Priorities include:
Funding for increased operational costs due to inflation
Additional funding to support our technology infrastructure
The proposed budget for FY24 also includes Strategic Abandonment savings of $428,000 in local and state funds. A list of those savings is included in his presentation to the School Board on slide 101.
As a result of a significant loss in Federal funding, the additional investment in public education in Dr. Raley's proposal is $229,741, or a .6% percent increase over last year. Overall, 78 percent of budgeted expenditures will be focused on classroom instruction and technology, 8.1 percent on operations and maintenance, 6.7 percent on transportation, and 6.9 percent on attendance and health. The proposed budget also includes an increase in funding from the Goochland County Board of Supervisors of $1,251,000, for a total of $26,751,000 in local funding.
Public meetings are scheduled through April as the School Board and the County Board of Supervisors work to build their budgets for next year. Citizens are encouraged to attend these meetings or to watch them as they stream live. Meeting video will also be archived on the division website.
February 14 - Public Hearing on the Budget - Goochland Administration Building, Room 250 - 5:30 p.m.
February 21 - County Administrator Presentation of Proposed County Budget - Goochland Administration Building, Room 250 - 2:00 p.m.
February 28 - School Board Approves 2023-2024 Budget - Goochland County Annex Building, 1st Floor Conference Room, 2938 River Road West, Building I – 5:30 p.m.
March 7 - Presentation of School Board’s Approved Budget to Goochland County Board of Supervisors - Goochland Administration Building, Room 250 - 2:00 p.m.
Town Halls
March 8, 6:30 p.m. - Districts 4/5 at Residence Inn at The Notch, 1800 Wilkes Ridge Circle, Richmond
March 23, 6:30 p.m. - District 1 at Byrd Elementary School, 2704 Hadensville Fife Road, Goochland
March 30, 6:30 p.m. - Districts 2/3 at Central High Cultural & Educational Center, 2748 Dogtown Road, Goochland
March 14 - County Board of Supervisors CIP Work Session - Goochland Administration Building, Room 250 - 2:30 p.m.
April 4 - Board of Supervisors Public Hearing on County (and School) Budget - Goochland Administration Building, Room 250 - 6:00 p.m.
April 18 - Board of Supervisors Approve County and School Division Budget - Goochland Administration Building, Room 250 - 4:30 p.m.
There is not $1 that is proposed in this budget that is not aligned with our vision to inspire the next generation of students whom we serve to make a positive impact on the world. Every dollar is aligned with the core mission that drives us every day to inspire and maximize the potential of each and every learner.
Dr. Raley's proposal will enable us to Build Brighter Futures in our community as we fulfill our vision to Inspire the Next Generation to Make a Positive Impact.