The Henry County School Board approved budget amendments during a recent meeting after learning the district would receive less local funding than originally requested. The board also approved new buses, textbooks, and recognized numerous student achievements from the school year.
A revised budget was adopted to reflect a $1,346,075 decrease in local funding. The approved total budget is $77,039,635 and supports key areas across the school system. The largest allocations include $11 million for federal and state grant programs, $10 million for operations and maintenance, and $9.2 million for student transportation. Additional funds include $5.2 million for administration, health and attendance; $3.5 million for technology; and $3.4 million for debt payments. Smaller allocations include $103,925 for facilities and $50,000 for a contingency fund.
“We’re also waiting on Gov. Youngkin’s decision on the current state budget,” said Director of Finance Richie Weaver. Additional amendments may be considered once the state budget is finalized.
The board approved a $1,000 bonus for SOQ instructional and support positions, pending approval from the state government.
“These funds are pending Gov. Youngkin’s approval and signature on the budget bill, but we do anticipate this funding will be included in his final budget,” Weaver said.
In other matters:
*Dr. Denise Fultz, preschool coordinator, announced the 2025 VSBA Student Art Contest winners: Aja McGill of Rich Acres Elementary School, Joselyn Snow of Laurel Park Middle School, and Emma Metzger of Magna Vista High School.
*Bassett High School Band Director Trey Harris recognized Morgan Sechrist and Breanna Boyd for earning All-State Band placement.
*Coach Kevin Underwood celebrated the achievements of the Bassett High School indoor track team. The boys’ 4×800-meter relay team—Preston Draper, Tyress Wiltz, Michael Foley, and Thomas Fulcher—won the 3D Region title with a time of 8:45.61, the fifth-best in school history, and placed 17th at the 3A State Championships.
*The boys’ 4×400-meter relay team—Marquez Tatum, Michael Foley, Braden Hodges, and Marquez Duvernay—also qualified for state with a third-place regional finish. Duvernay won the 3D Region high jump title at 6-0 and placed second at state with a 6-4 jump, setting a new indoor school record. He also competed in the long jump (21-9, 7th overall), triple jump (42-8.5, 11th overall), and the 500-meter dash (1:08.67, 15th overall), each ranking among the school’s all-time top five indoor performances.
*Thomas Fulcher set a school record in the 3,200-meter run with a 9:40.65 at regionals and finished fifth at state with a time of 9:41.31. Additional school records were set in the boys’ long jump (21-11) and triple jump (42-10), both earning third place at regionals.
*The girls’ 4×200-meter relay team—Alyna Moore, Nyasia Herndon, Brianna Taylor, and Egypt Phillips—ran 1:53.32 at regionals (third place) and 1:51.42 at state (ninth overall), the second-best indoor time in school history.
*Another boys’ 4×800-meter relay team—Michael Foley, Preston Draper, Gio Saligan, and Tyress Wiltz—ran 8:56.92 at state, marking the tenth-best indoor performance at Bassett.
*Bassett High School junior Alley Gongloff was named a state finalist in the 2025 Poetry Out Loud competition. She was supported by English teacher Laura Jones and school sponsor Mary Grace Sileo. The recognition was presented by English Curriculum Coordinator Janet Lewis.
*Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School Band Director Scott Allred recognized students in the symphonic band. Sixth grade student Easton Sechrist was acknowledged. Seventh grade students included Mason Calloway, Arielle Hanson, Amayrany Vazquez, Jude McColl, Natasha Martell-Rios, Kerrigan Hunley, Silas Gammons, Bentley Adkins, and Kadence Bousman.
*Eighth grade students recognized were Ada Vasquez, Madelyn Wimmer, Aniyah Hairston, Kadence Albanese, Lyssa Adkins, Saharie Hairston, Abigail Peyton, Shyanne Spear, Reniyah Dawson, Caelynn Holder, Kimori Adams, Josie Kenny, Samuel Sechrist, Hunter McBride, Jonah Haynes, Matthew Nolan, Aaron Compton, Micah Reyes, Seth Hubbard, Braxton Crouch, Jostyn Wells, KaVaughn Muse, Daniel Gray, Conner Mabe, Isabella Hancock, Azzura Redd, Alexander Street, Yaretzy Reza, Corbin Eanes, Chianti Clark, Elijah Foster, and Amya Barner.
*Laurel Park Middle School Choral Director Alyssa Prillaman recognized several students. The Treble section included Aniyah Stockton, Miyana Penn, Chloe Arthur, Ally Smith, Braylen McBride, and Evan Carter. Other members were Sarah Keen, Jaleah Garnes, Brennan Hodge, Daniyah Watkins, Dakota Strubhar, Jackson Dodson, Estrella Gomez-Jimenez, Damian Garcia, and Lauren Mosley.
*The Mixed section included Layla Hairston, Alannah Strickland, Tia Giles, Jamal Reynolds, Jasalyn Thomas, and Stella Kovack. Additional Mixed section members were Lucas Moore, Guadalupe Santacruz-Tiznado, Jimmie Crowder Jr., Kollin Martin, Jacobi Bristow, Samuel Boone, Sebastian Hernandez, Braylyn Beal, and Savannah Shelton.
*The board approved a $1,151,974 transfer from the “Instruction” category to the “Pupil Transportation” category to purchase six new SPED buses and four 65-passenger conventional buses from Sonny Merryman in Rustburg, Virginia. All elementary schools were also approved for soft seating purchases.
*The culinary arts kitchens at Bassett High School will receive upgrades. Math textbooks for grades K-12 and high-quality reading materials for grades K-5 were also approved.
*The board also recognized Teacher Appreciation Week, School Nurse Appreciation Day and retiring teachers.
