ACPS Adopts 2026-2027 Budget

By Albemarle County Public Schools

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. — Last night, the Albemarle County School Board adopted a fiscal year 2027 school fund operating budget of $308,067,157. This budget supports the operation of Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Central to this year’s budget was the school board’s commitment to attract and retain highly skilled teachers and staff. “The quality of public education is tied directly to the quality of the teachers and staff that a school division is able to hire,” said Rebecca Berlin, school board chair. More than half of the $20.7 million increase in recurring revenues was dedicated to compensation increases ($7.8 million) and improved working conditions ($4.0 million).

The remaining increase in funds was allocated to costs to maintain existing service levels ($4.2 million) and fund operational costs for the opening of ACE Academy – Lambs Lane Campus and Mountain View Upper Elementary School ($4.3 million).

The school board also made $2.8 million in cuts, including reducing staffing within Division Services (formerly referred to as Central Office), saving $500,000; eliminating nine Short-Term Education Program (STEP) teaching assistant positions, saving an additional $450,000; and reducing elementary teaching assistant positions, saving $500,000.

The school board used the $2.8 million in savings to help fund $3.3 million in new programs and services aligned with improving academic performance. The new programs include $1.4 million to fund staffing needed to support the growth of Scholars Studios programs; $800,000 for textbook replacement; $700,000 for new math and data specialists to support targeted schools in need; and $300,000 for special education specialists.

The school board also approved $3.1 million in one-time funding for replacement technology ($2.2 million), new security cameras ($300,000), and additional textbooks ($600,000).

“This has been a difficult budget year for ACPS, but the public response and feedback has been tremendous in guiding our decisions,” Berlin noted. ACPS responded to more than 200 budget questions over the past two months as part of efforts to bring greater transparency and clarity to the budget process. ACPS also distributed community surveys and solicited direct feedback on the programs and services being offered.

“The school board had to make some really tough decisions, but they have given us clear direction on their priorities,” said Matthew Haas, superintendent. “They maintained funding for those programs and services that have allowed us to continue being one of the strongest performing school divisions in the Commonwealth and invested in key initiatives that we believe will help us narrow the opportunity and achievement gaps that we see in our schools. Narrowing those gaps will continue to be our priority throughout the coming year.”