Roanoke County Public Schools is getting a funding boost from both the county and state governments. – The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors approved the county’s budget and the budget for Roanoke County Public Schools during its meeting Tuesday afternoon.
The budget features an increase of more than $3 million in state revenue than the budget originally adopted by the school board, so a revised budget was submitted. Roanoke County is also providing more revenue next school year, providing another boost to the school division’s coffers.
The budget also gives RCPS employees raises, totaling 4.6% for people who receive a step and scale adjustment. Other new spending includes AI software for students and teachers, a student HVAC apprentice and a school counselor position that would support coverage during staff leaves.
Supervisors largely applauded the budget, but there were some concerns over increased insurance costs.
“We have had a lot of people who have had cancer, and they are very high-dollar claims,” said Susan Peterson, director of finance for Roanoke County Public Schools. “We’re really hoping that this will settle down a little bit and we’ll get back on track.”
Supervisors also approved Roanoke County’s budget for the next fiscal year. The more than $272 million budget would also provide $3.67 million in additional funding to schools and more than $5.79 million in pay raises for public safety and other government personnel.
With an expected increase in property tax revenue, County staff are proposing to drop the real estate tax rate from $1.04 per $100 in assessed value to $1.03, returning an estimated $1.3 million to taxpayers. Real estate tax rates in Roanoke County have steadily dropped since the 2019 fiscal year but assessed values have increased, offsetting the relief somewhat.
“Assessments continue to come down, but they don’t come down as much as we’d like to see them for our citizens,” said Phil North, vice chair of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors. “And hopefully that trend will continue on this year as well.”
North said county leaders will continue to look at ways to provide tax relief.