Henry County School Board Approves Updated Budget for 2026-27 School Year
HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — The Henry County School Board has approved an updated operating budget exceeding $120 million, focusing on higher employee pay, enhanced school security, and other key priorities for the upcoming school year.
Key highlights of the updated budget include:
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Increased Employee Pay: The budget introduces a new starting teacher salary of $53,000 annually, aimed at attracting and retaining educators.
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Enhanced School Security: A state grant will fund two new school security officer positions at Bassett High School and Magna Vista High School. Dr. Benjamin Boone emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety within schools.
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Modest Budget Growth: Despite these new investments, the overall budget only increased by approximately $100,000 from last year, a figure impacted by declining enrollment, particularly in younger grades.
Superintendent Dr. Amy Blake-Lewis noted that while enrollment has declined, high school numbers remain relatively stable. The budget will take effect for the 2026-27 school year.
