Newsroom

YCSDigest - February 13, 2024

FY25 Superintendent's Proposed Annual Budget

Division Superintendent Dr. Victor Shandor presented the Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget during the School Board Work Session held on Monday, February 12. The estimate of needs, totaling $192.4 million for the 2024-25 school year, supports the division’s mission to ensure all students are valued, supported and challenged through learning experiences, which prepare them for a successful future.

The most significant investment, $9.2 million, aligns with the division's priority to attract and retain highly skilled, compassionate, diverse, and committed team members by providing a competitive compensation package. Dr. Shandor has proposed an average 5.5% salary increase for all eligible employees, bringing the total average compensation increase for staff to between 28.1% and 34.1% since 2020.

"Our teachers, administrators and staff demonstrate their dedication and expertise in providing high quality instruction and engaging education experiences to foster student success each and every day. Investing in our team members is an investment in our students’ futures and the future of our community," said Dr. Shandor.

Other notable investments to the budget include additional school-based staffing to support the Virginia Literacy Act, which aims to improve early literacy outcomes for Virginia's young learners, increases to the technology fund, and a plan to increase operational needs for custodial services and building maintenance.

The School Board will hold a public hearing on the Proposed FY25 Operating Budget during the February monthly meeting, beginning at 7 p.m., February 26, at York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown.

Budget Presentation

Elementary Attendance Zone Review

The York County School Board has scheduled a public hearing regarding possible adjustments to elementary attendance zones during the regular monthly meeting, beginning at 7 p.m., February 26, at York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown.

During Monday's meeting, the board received a presentation from ArcBridge Consulting regarding the five options developed to address student enrollment and available classroom space within each elementary school. Dr. Jim Carroll, chief operations officer, then shared the recommendations from the stakeholder committee charged with evaluating the consultant's plans.

The full report to the Board, the summary of the committee's recommendations, criteria for evaluation, and previous presentations to the Board regarding the elementary attendance zone review are available on the division website.

2024-25 Calendar Development

During Monday night's School Board Work Session, division staff shared an update on the work underway by the division’s calendar committee to prepare a calendar recommendation for the 2024-25 school year. The proposed calendar adheres to state requirements and aligns with priorities identified by previous community surveys and the current calendar committee.

The community can provide feedback on the proposed calendar through the Let’s Talk platform prior to the Board approving the calendar at the February 26 monthly meeting.

2024-25 Draft Calendar

Executive Order 28

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 28 directed the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to issue information to local school divisions and parents about drug education and prevention programs for students. The information provided by VDOE is available on the division website.

VDOE Resources for Executive Order 28

VDOE Public Hearings

The Virginia Board of Education will hold a series of public hearings on the proposed 2024 English Standards of Learning throughout the commonwealth during the month of February. One session will be held in our region:

Tuesday, February 13, 2024
6:30 p.m.
Christopher Newport University
Torggler Fine Arts Center, Room 102
Newport News, VA

Individuals may also provide public comment through the Virginia Department of Education website until March 1, 2024.

Community Announcements

The York County School Division offers local businesses and organizations the opportunity to share information with students and parents regarding educational/enrichment activities, events and opportunities, which are either available to YCSD students or support division programs. These flyers are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the York County School Division or the schools, but are made available as a community service for our families.

Community announcements can also be found on the division website and each school's website.