The Isle of Wight County School Board voted May 29 to ask the Board of Supervisors to increase the school division’s fiscal 2025 appropriation by $1,675,000 to cover higher health insurance costs.

Board members approved a resolution requesting the county change the FY25 appropriation after staff told the board the health insurance fund is expected to exceed its original budget. “This is not requesting any additional funds. I can't stress that enough from the County,” a school staff member said during the discussion, explaining the request is an accounting appropriation rather than a new cash transfer from supervisors.

School staff told the board the division receives a lump-sum appropriation from the county that covers multiple funds and that state grants, operating accounts and food-service payroll contributions all feed the health insurance fund. Because the division cannot legally spend beyond its appropriation, staff proposed the formal request to ensure compliance with the Code of Virginia.

The roll call on the resolution recorded five yes votes: Kolick, Cunningham, Perkins, Wooster and Marsh; the motion passed. The board also noted staff expects to draw from the division’s health insurance reserve to cover some costs.

The item was presented as a compliance step to reconcile estimated costs and the county appropriation; board members did not direct additional county funding beyond the requested appropriation. The board’s motion asks the Board of Supervisors to increase the appropriation to allow the division to pay health insurance claims and related obligations for FY25.