School Board clarifies budget planning process
As members of the School Board, we believe it is important to clarify recent statements regarding the school division’s budget and planning process. We share the Board of Supervisors’ commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds and believe that accurate information is essential to maintaining public trust and fostering productive collaboration between our boards.
Under Virginia law, the Board of Supervisors determines the total funding allocated to schools, while the School Board is responsible for how those funds are used to meet operational, instructional, and facility needs. Under Virginia Code §22.1-88, the authority to levy taxes for public education rests solely with the local governing body. School Boards lack the authority to raise revenue through taxation and must operate within the funds appropriated to them. This structure ensures accountability while allowing school leaders to address the day-to-day realities of educating students.
Repeated references to past claims about funding decisions, such as those concerning the Lord Botetourt roof, require clarification. A review of prior budgets found no evidence that specific surplus funds were set aside for those repairs. Additionally, none of the current School Board members held elected office at the time. Repeating historical claims without supporting documentation does not help address present needs or move our community toward workable solutions.
The development of the school division budget is a deliberate, months-long process. During this budget cycle, four School Board budget committee meetings were held with Board of Supervisors liaisons, Mrs. Rottman and Mr. Michael, to review the proposed budget in detail and address questions. These joint work sessions were intended to encourage discussion and ensure that accurate information was shared with all members of the Board of Supervisors. All budget deliberations took place at advertised public meetings, including committee sessions and a public hearing, before final adoption. The School Board approved the budget on March 31, in compliance with Virginia law, which requires approval before April 1.
It has also been suggested that the School Board may have discussed the budget in closed meetings. This is incorrect. No closed meetings were held for budget development or review. Such action would be prohibited under Virginia law, and all deliberations occurred in open, properly advertised meetings.
Questions have been raised about enrollment and the potential consolidation of elementary schools. While enrollment varies across schools, consolidation decisions require careful consideration of geography, transportation time, student safety, and community impact. Eagle Rock Elementary, located in the northern portion of the county near the Alleghany and Craig County lines, serves students who already travel significant distances because of the region’s rural nature. Closing this school would substantially increase transportation times for young children. Buchanan, Breckinridge, and Cloverdale Elementary have also been evaluated, but projected cost savings from closure would be limited when weighed against operational costs and community impact.
An efficiency study conducted in 2015 recommended consolidating and building new facilities, including Lord Botetourt High School. Since then, facility needs have been continually evaluated through updated planning efforts. Most recently, the school division adopted an updated Capital Improvement Plan in 2025 that reflects current facility conditions, safety considerations, and long-term maintenance priorities. The plan is reviewed annually and incorporates updated evaluations, including recommendations from a division-wide safety and security assessment conducted in 2023. Any prior recommendations, whether from 2015 or subsequent planning efforts, must be considered alongside current data, transportation logistics, facility age and condition, and community input before decisions of that magnitude can be made responsibly.
It has also been suggested that school costs are rising unsustainably despite declining enrollment. While enrollment trends are closely monitored, many school-related expenses remain fixed regardless of student numbers. Schools must still maintain facilities, operate transportation systems across a large geographic area, and meet staffing and regulatory requirements. Botetourt County Public Schools currently operates 12 school buildings, nine of which are more than 50 years old. Aging infrastructure significantly increases maintenance and operational demands, regardless of enrollment changes. Many projects in the Capital Improvement Plan focus on maintaining existing facilities, addressing safety needs, and extending the usable life of buildings rather than replacing them.
Concerns about employee health insurance and fund balances also require clarification. The school division’s health insurance plan is not a “Cadillac” plan. Many employees pay $746 per month for family coverage, with a $5,000 individual deductible and an $8,000 family deductible, leading to high out-of-pocket costs before insurance coverage begins. These features are not typically associated with what most consider a premium insurance plan. Every two years, the division issues Requests for Proposals to secure competitive pricing; however, alternative bids are often limited. The recent increase in health insurance costs, approximately $2.4 million, resulted from premium increases by the insurance provider and was not discretionary spending.
Similarly, references to a $4 million “rainy day fund” require clarification. The amount cited is an unassigned fund balance, not unused or discretionary funds available for any purpose. The asset portion of the unassigned fund balance consists largely of cash held in county-managed bank accounts designated for school division operations.
These “unassigned” funds cannot be used at will. Under established financial policy, the Board of Supervisors establishes, modifies, or rescinds fund balance commitments by adopting or amending the budget through ordinance. Fund balance commitments do not lapse at year’s end and are identified in budget documents as designated for specific purposes. Assigned fund balances are likewise established through budget adoption or amendment for defined purposes, such as capital purchases, construction, debt service, or other approved needs.
Unassigned fund balances support ongoing operational needs, including instructional materials such as textbook subscriptions and other recurring obligations. Health and safety concerns, including mold remediation, are addressed as priorities when identified and cannot be delayed.
It is also important to recognize the impact of the Local Composite Index (LCI), which measures a locality’s ability to fund education. The Local Composite Index Trend Analysis indicated that Botetourt County would receive less state funding starting in 2026 due to changes in local economic indicators. This reduction in state funding was anticipated and incorporated into the budget planning process. School divisions do not control state funding formulas or revenue allocations, yet they must adjust to funding changes mandated by the Commonwealth. Planning for anticipated reductions in state funding is a shared responsibility that requires coordination between the School Board and the Board of Supervisors.
transparency and public access to information remain central to our work. The school division’s budget is publicly available on the division website, and all budget meetings are advertised in advance, held in open session, recorded, and archived online. Residents can review financial documents and watch past meetings at any time. Opportunities for public comment are available throughout the budget process.
The School Board does not request that other county departments be reduced to fund school needs. Our responsibility is to identify the resources needed to provide safe facilities, qualified staff, and appropriate educational services. The Board of Supervisors is responsible for balancing those needs with other county priorities.
We remain committed to collaborating with county leadership and to ensuring that decisions affecting students and taxpayers are grounded in verified information, thoughtful analysis, and mutual respect. Our shared goal is to serve this community’s citizens responsibly and ensure that every child has access to a safe, effective educational environment.
Dana McCaleb, Fincastle District
Anna Weddle, Chair, Amsterdam District
Matt East, Vice Chair, Blue Ridge District
Jenny Wilson, Buchanan District
Tim Davidick, Valley District
Botetourt Chamber of Commerce supports Google Data Center
The Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce, in coordination with its Board of Directors, has completed a comprehensive review of the Google Data Center project and is in strong support of its advancement.
This position follows extensive engagement with Google representatives, Botetourt County and regional leadership, and participation in both the public forum hosted by Google and the business summit hosted by the county. Our support is informed, deliberate, and grounded in what we believe is a significant opportunity for the business community and the broader regional economy.
From a business standpoint, this project represents a transformative investment in Botetourt County.
The data center campus is expected to generate $30 million annually in local tax revenue upon completion, more than twice the contribution of the county’s current top three companies combined. This level of investment strengthens the overall economic foundation of the county and creates an environment where businesses can grow, invest, and operate with greater long-term stability.
In addition, the project will drive substantial economic activity during both construction and ongoing operations. With at least 1,000 construction jobs at peak and long-term, high-quality positions upon completion, the project is expected to increase demand for local services, contractors, suppliers, and support industries across the region.
For our members, this means real opportunity – from construction and trades to professional services, hospitality, and small business engagement. Projects of this scale create ripple effects that extend well beyond the initial investment and support a more dynamic and connected local economy.
The project also reinforces Botetourt County’s position as a competitive and forward-looking business environment. Attracting an investment of this magnitude signals to other companies and industries that our region is prepared to support innovation, infrastructure, and long-term growth.
It is also important to note that the required infrastructure improvements associated with this project will be funded as part of the development, strengthening capacity without placing additional burden on the existing business base.
The Chamber firmly believes that strategic, responsible economic development is essential to the success of our members and the long-term vitality of our region. This project aligns with that vision.
We look forward to continuing to serve as a partner alongside Google, Botetourt County, and our regional stakeholders as this project advances, ensuring the business community remains engaged and positioned to benefit from this investment.
We remain committed to ongoing engagement with our members and stakeholders throughout this process.
William Nelms, Board President
Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce
