Newsroom

YCSDigest - May 15, 2025

Operating Budget Update

During the May School Board Work Session, Chief Financial Officer Bill Bowen provided an update on the division’s operating budget. Governor Youngkin has approved the state budget, providing additional state funding for YCSD in both FY25 (July 2024-June 2025) and FY26 (July 2025-June 2026). The additional FY25 revenue is designated for a one-time employee bonus for state-funded positions. The Board has approved using end-of-year budget funds to provide a bonus to all eligible staff.

Prior to the adoption of the state budget, the division was facing a nearly $3.6 million budget gap for FY26. With the addition of $2.3 million in state funding and a reduction in student enrollment projections, staff have recommended the following actions to balance the FY26 budget:

• reduce the superintendent’s proposed raise from an average of 4% to 3.5% (saving $629,570) to remain competitive, and
• reduce the number of new teacher positions (saving $675,000).

2026-27 School Calendar Planning

The School Board has approved having staff begin development of the 2026-27 school year student calendar based on a tentative start date of August 24, 2026. The Board came to this consensus after receiving results of the recent division-wide survey. More than 2,200 family members, staff, and students shared feedback in March with the majority favoring the August 24 start date.

Survey feedback all demonstrated support for a 10-week summer break, maintaining a two-week Winter Break spanning three weekends, and aligning calendars with neighboring school divisions. The division’s calendar committee will begin developing a full draft calendar in August, with a goal of presenting a recommendation for Board approval in September.

Survey Results Presentation

Summer Academic Programs

The York County School Division will offer several Summer Academy classes and enrichment opportunities beginning in late June. You can access the 2025 Summer Academic Program Catalog on the Summer Academic Programs page on the division website. The catalog provides descriptions of each program, course, and enrichment opportunity (camp), along with details on eligibility, registration, and the specific dates and times for each offering.

If your student is interested in participating in any summer programs, please visit the website for important dates and additional information.

Student Spotlight

The Tabb High School and York High School NJROTC units recently earned the prestigious Distinguished Unit with Honors award. This national recognition celebrates each unit’s outstanding performance in academics, physical fitness, community service, and leadership.

The Mt. Vernon Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind team took first place in at the state Odyssey of the Mind tournament in April. The students tackled a problem requiring them to design, build, and operate an all-terrain vehicle that transports riders on a race for a prize. The team’s performance included a race to three original, team-created destinations and each leg of the race includes an obstacle that the rider and vehicle must overcome.

Yorktown Middle School’s Hiya Singh turned in an un-bee-lievable performance at the 2025 WHRO Spelling Bee, taking third place in our region!

Best Community for Music Education

For the fourth consecutive year, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation has named YCSD as a "Best Community for Music Education" for its outstanding commitment to music education. Only 23 Virginia school divisions achieved the coveted status this year.

The NAMM Foundation, a nonprofit organization, awards this designation to school divisions and schools demonstrating an exceptionally high commitment to offering comprehensive music education to all students. It further serves to recognize the outstanding efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of the curriculum.

Community Announcements

The York County School Division offers local businesses and organizations the opportunity to share information with students and families regarding educational/enrichment activities, events and opportunities, which are 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 provided as a community service for our families.

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