Warren County School Board Opens 2026–27 Budget Planning With Focus on Staffing, Pay, and Health Costs

Warren County Public Schools launched its 2026–27 budget development process with a work session on October 21, outlining key needs in staffing, salary competitiveness, and employee benefits. The session, led by Acting Superintendent Dr. J. David Martin, marked the first step in what school officials describe as a transparent and collaborative effort to align spending with student needs and strategic goals.

“This budget doesn’t have a life of its own,” Martin told board members. “It has to be attached to something—and your living document right now is your strategic plan.”

Calendar and Legal Requirements Set the Stage

The session began with a review of the Code of Virginia, which requires school boards to submit an annual estimate of public funds needed for local schools. Martin reminded members that once adopted, the proposed budget must be published and shared publicly in advance of a formal hearing.

The board is expected to meet again on October 28 to review capital requests and salary scales, followed by a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors on November 13, and a second joint session on December 10.

Staffing Needs Driven by Enrollment and Support Services

Deputy Director for Human Resources and Finance Kendall Poe presented staffing requests developed by school principals and department heads using a data-informed template that tied each request to enrollment, compliance, and instructional goals.

The most urgent requests include:

• A 5th-grade teacher at E. Wilson Morrison
• A 3rd-grade teacher at A.S. Rhodes
• A 7th-grade English teacher
• Three special education teachers (LFK, Rhodes, Ressie Jeffries)
• A special education instructional assistant at Blue Ridge Technical Center
• A 2nd-grade instructional assistant at A.S. Rhodes
• A Board Certified Behavior Analyst for general education students

Dr. Martin explained the growing need for behavioral support in early grades. “There are some kids coming in with, I believe, maybe not special ed problems but learned behaviors,” he said. “It’s just very hard for them to adjust to a structured environment… I think this kind of support with teachers will help them do a functional behavioral analysis.”

The division already has a behavior analyst for special education, but Martin said that position is restricted from serving general education students due to how it’s funded.

Also requested: a full-time translator position. Currently, the district’s receptionist also performs translations — a dual role that causes scheduling conflicts. “That’s the voice of Warren County Schools,” Martin said. “I want that to be so positive when people come in and not distracted by other things going on.”

Additional leadership and support staff requests include:

• A principal for non-traditional programs
• A dean of students at Blue Ridge Technical Center
• A dean at Leslie Fox Keyser Elementary
• A history curriculum coordinator
• A recruiter for Human Resources
• A systems technician to support cybersecurity
• A general maintenance technician
• A CDL trainer for bus drivers
• Two additional bus drivers
• A part-time work-based learning coordinator

Enrollment Dip May Impact Revenue

Martin also reported that enrollment is currently more than 100 students below projections used for this year’s budget. That shortfall could reduce the state funding Warren County receives for the upcoming fiscal year.

Salary Study Highlights Pay Gaps

Human Resources Director Rachel Drake presented findings from a teacher salary market study, comparing Warren County to nearby school divisions. According to the data, Warren County Public Schools currently pays:

• $1,718 (2.43%) less than Winchester Public Schools
• $3,692 (5.24%) less than Frederick County
• $1,618 (2.45%) less than Clarke County
• $7,016 (10.48%) more than Page County

Drake said a 3% salary scale adjustment would help close the gap and bring Warren County more in line with neighboring school divisions. But she noted that a single-year adjustment wouldn’t be enough.

She recommended a multi-year plan to increase salaries by 10% over two to three years for all employees. “We don’t want to just throw money at our teachers,” she said. “I’m saying teachers because that’s the bulk of our population. This would be for all employees.”

Drake also noted that surrounding counties are already moving ahead with compensation increases, and Warren County will need to act strategically to stay competitive.

Dr. Martin supported the approach, adding that while some teachers may leave for higher-paying counties late in their careers to maximize retirement, many later express missing the close-knit environment of Warren County schools.

Health Insurance Options Under Review

Poe presented information on the district’s health insurance program, which is managed through The Local Choice (TLC). Premiums have risen steadily in recent years, including a 10.1% increase this year, following more than $1.5 million in high-cost claims. She projected a 12% increase for the coming fiscal year based on current trends.

The administration is exploring a variety of strategies, including:

• Switching to a higher-deductible plan
• Moving to a self-insured model, which could offer savings and flexibility
• Offering a “cafeteria plan” with set employer contributions
• Aligning contributions across plans (e.g., 70%/80%/90% structure)
• Coordinating with Warren County government to explore shared coverage options

Poe said the current percentage contributions vary significantly and don’t follow a consistent structure. Additional data and vendor quotes are being gathered before any recommendation is made.

“We are gathering information,” she said. “We want to make informed comparisons before bringing forward recommendations.”

What’s Next?

The board will reconvene on October 28 to review:

• Salary scale proposals
• Capital improvement requests
• Additional funding priorities

Joint meetings with the Board of Supervisors are scheduled for November 13 and December 10, both at 6 p.m.

Martin closed the session by emphasizing the district’s intent to keep the process open and aligned with community goals. “We want to be sure that individuals have all the information,” he said.

This video is courtesy of Warren County Public Schools.