Surry County Schools asks for $13.75 per student and $35M in phased capital projects, including $5M Meadowview expansion

Travis Reeves presented Surry County Schools’ budget request to the county commissioners, outlining operating and capital needs and describing how last year’s supplemental funds were spent.

Reeves said the district requests $13.75 per student for current expense (ADM 6,945) and $350 per student for capital outlay, equating to a modest net operating increase of roughly $75,000 and a capital increase of about $79,830 compared with the previous year. He also described a $350,000 special supplement issued last year that funded retention bonuses, pre-K supplements and classified staff bonuses.

The district also presented a package of special capital requests totaling roughly $35 million for phased projects across sites: $16 million for Surry Central phase one, $15 million for East Surry phase one (both including cafeterias and site work), and a $5 million Meadowview expansion tied to consolidation following the closure of Gentry Elementary. Reeves said the district has hired an architect and plans to use the CM-at-risk method and is circulating an RFQ for general contractor selection.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions; the requests will be incorporated into county budget deliberations and analyzed for phasing and financing options.