Fluvanna School Board Approves $60M Budget, Seeks $620K More in Local Funds

The budget includes staff raises, new positions, and facility upgrades despite declining enrollment.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Fluvanna County School Board approved a $60.4 million operating budget for fiscal year 2027, a 6% increase over the current year. The plan calls for a $620,727 increase in local funding to $24.4 million. The budget includes a 3% staff pay raise, absorbs a 9% health insurance hike, and funds several new positions and program upgrades. However, one board member opposed the spending plan, citing declining enrollment.

Why it matters

The school district's budget is a key indicator of its priorities and ability to support student needs. This increase in local funding comes as the district faces declining enrollment, raising questions about the sustainability of the spending plan.

The details

The $60.4 million budget includes funding for a 3% staff pay raise, a 9% increase in health insurance costs, and several new positions such as student support roles, a math interventionist, instructional aides, and additional athletic stipends. The district is also upgrading technology, instructional tools, and other division-wide expenses. One board member opposed the budget, arguing the $3 million increase is unjustified given a 33-position staffing reduction and 18-student enrollment decline.

  • The Fluvanna County School Board approved the $60.4 million budget on February 18, 2026.
  • The school district is scheduled to present the approved budget to the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors on February 25, 2026.

The players

Fluvanna County School Board

The governing body responsible for overseeing the Fluvanna County school district's operations, policies, and budget.

Sean Brennan

A member of the Fluvanna County School Board representing the Columbia district, who praised the budget as "sustainable growth for the future."

Charles Rittenhouse

A member of the Fluvanna County School Board representing the Cunningham district, who opposed the budget citing the $3 million increase despite declining enrollment.

Peter Gretz

The superintendent of Fluvanna County schools.

Donald Stribling

A Fluvanna County school official providing an update on ongoing facility improvements at Fluvanna Middle School.

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What they’re saying

“This is sustainable growth for the future. This has been a phenomenal job.”

— Sean Brennan, School Board Member (The Fluvanna Review)

“I don't know how to justify that.”

— Charles Rittenhouse, School Board Member (The Fluvanna Review)

“We'll never be able to buy a bus with $75,000.”

— Peter Gretz, Superintendent (The Fluvanna Review)

What’s next

School officials are scheduled to present the approved $60.4 million budget to the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors on February 25, 2026 for final approval.

The takeaway

The Fluvanna County School Board's $60 million budget proposal highlights the challenges of balancing rising costs and new program needs with declining enrollment, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of the district's spending plan.