“These are hard decisions.”
The Gloucester County School Board met last Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the T.C. Walker Education Center auditorium to hear superintendent of schools Dr. Anthony Vladu’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026, which totals approximately $77.5 million.
Budget challenges for this year include homeschool enrollment, declining enrollment in the district, students graduating early, declining state and federal revenues and the anticipation of receiving level county funding.
The district is projecting an average daily membership (ADM) of 4,700 for the 2025-2026 academic year. This is a decrease of 100 students from the current school year.
“We’re losing enrollment every year,” said Vladu. “Not a lot, but enough to make a difference.”
In Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed budget for FY26, GCPS would only receive an additional $230,710.
“That’s not a lot of money,” said Vladu. “That may not even cover increases in fuel costs or anything else. So, you’re basically looking at ...