The first draft of the proposed budget for the 2026 school year was presented to the Martinsville City School Board at its meeting last week.
“Keep in mind it’s a working document. Nothing is final,” said Schools Superintendent Dr. Zebedee Talley, Jr.
The working document also is in keeping with the school division’s annual goals, which include integrity/academic excellence, safe and supportive schools in which discipline is reduced by 10 percent, and family/community engagement, encouraged by several family nights in schools. “We have great support, and the people turnout” and attend various school functions, he said, and thanked parents and the community for the support. He also explained the goals feed into the division’s six-year plan.
This year’s budget proposal is built on a projected enrollment of 1,675 students in K-12, 110 preschool students, and 80 students in adult education, which is free, Talley said, adding that it is a total enrollment of about 1,865 students.
The increase in students would provide the division with a revenue increase of about $43,000, he said.
The primary cost factors include a 3 percent raise – the second part of the state’s biennial budget, plus a step increase, which is estimated at $636,172. Including a $570,200 budgeted request from principals and central office staff, the total is $1,206,372, Talley said.
The anticipated revenue is $28,093,421 with budgeted expenses totaling $28,929,625, for a total variance of $836,204, Travis Clemmons said.
Several school improvements are also included in the list including HVAC upgrades and roofing repairs. “We still have some heavy needs for roof replacement,” he said.
“If we had about three million dollars, we could catch up on some of this work, ” said Talley, and added that he feels the state should invest more money for construction and repairs.
“We don’t have a million dollars, and we don’t really feel good coming to city council and asking for a million,” Talley said.
The board also heard School Improvement Plans, as principals from each school presented their strategies to address attendance challenges, learning outcomes, and discipline. Principals also reviewed the former years’ ranking in each subject and absent students. City schools have been working to further incentivize students to attend class and focus on their studies.
Albert Harris Elementary School Principal Renee Brown emphasized the importance of giving full effort to prepare students for success. “If you put less than one hundred percent, then whose child are you preparing for failure,” Brown asked.
Martinsville Middle School Principal Ama Waller outlined the school’s focus on reducing out-of-school suspensions by improving communication, assigning mentors to high-need students, and increasing participation in extracurricular activities. “They know, for example, if you get suspended, you’re off the team,” Waller said.
At Martinsville High School, Principal Ajamu Dixon highlighted accreditation’s reliance on the performance of the graduating class, noting challenges in biology pass rates. The school plans to use assessments to guide curriculum adjustments and improve results.
*Patrick Henry Elementary School PTO members requested help with funding a new playground. They still need over $100,000. It would take us about fourteen, fifteen years if we continued to do this on our own,” said PTO president Chelsea Cruise.
The playground currently has cracked equipment, closed off areas, and no place for shade during the heat. The PTO has reached out for private grants but has been denied due to school funding being restricted to state or local government.
*The board also recognized Sheilah Williams for her work with the Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge and the BGC’s recognition as Principal of the Year.
*The board invited community members to voice their opinions on the budget and school needs at a public hearing scheduled for Monday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. in the Martinsville Municipal Building Council Chambers.
