By Jessica Dillon
The Martinsville School Board met Feb. 9 to hear the first reading of its proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget. Board members also approved a school improvement grant for both elementary schools aimed at raising math and reading scores.
The preliminary budget reflects an anticipated revenue increase of $1,223,486. It includes a proposed 2% raise for employees, totaling $411,240 in additional costs. Each school submitted individual requests, with several seeking specialized teaching positions.
Clearview Early Learning Center requested $11,275 for furniture, while Albert Harris Elementary School asked for $80,000 to fund a gifted teacher shared with Patrick Henry Elementary School.
Martinsville High School requested $85,000 for a reading specialist.
Albert Harris Elementary submitted the largest number of requests, including a special education transition teacher ($80,000), a full-time substitute teacher ($80,000), a math coach ($80,000), one or two resource paraprofession – als ($34,000 each), a special education p a r a professiona l ($34,000), and a bus monitor ($48,440).
Martinsville Middle School requested a part-time English learner instructor ($55,000) and an AVID instructor ($55,000). Districtwide requests also include $155,178 for technology replacements and $50,180 for safety needs.
Additional funding requests include $204,000 for transportation, $124,256 for student services, and $320,000 for instruction. The total budget request is $2,421,329. The proposal has not yet been submitted to the City Council, and the state budget has not been finalized.
The board also updated several policies to meet current standards, including BBBB (Student Representative to the School Board), CHD/BFE (Administration in Policy Absence), DI (Financial Accounting and Reporting), DN (Disposal of Surplus Items), EF (Food Service Management), and LBD (Home Instruction).
Snow makeup days were announced for Feb. 16 and March 13, with the goal of avoiding conflicts with spring break. No additional contingency plans were discussed.
Recognitions included:
· Paris Turner, second-place winner in a statewide art contest
· School Counselor Appreciation Week
· Virginia Association of Science Teachers President Jill Collins
· MCPS Division-wide Teacher of the Year Karla Scales
· School Board Appreciation Month
· School Board Clerk Appreciation Week.
