Albemarle County, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County School Board Chair Dr. Kate Acuff provided updates on Morning News following a recent school board meeting, highlighting a range of pressing issues, including budget decisions, early childhood education, and facility needs due to rising student enrollment. “We had a briefing on the required plan for special education, and we also had a budget update in terms of what additional cuts we may have to make before we adopt a budget, a balanced budget, on May 8th,” Acuff said. She noted that uncertainty from the state and county budgets continues to delay final decisions. 

In addition to financial planning, the county is adjusting its academic calendar to start the school year earlier, aligning with surrounding districts. Dr. Acuff also emphasized the importance of early childhood education and encouraged families to register their children for kindergarten and pre-K programs. “Parents can register their children already… any parent whose child will be 5 by September 30th… can register for kindergarten,” she stated. The division offers four pre-K programs, focused heavily on supporting at-risk children.  

A significant concern remains overcrowding, as the school division experiences steady growth. Last year, Albemarle County added nearly 300 students, and projections show more than 1,000 new students expected over the next decade. “Albemarle High School was originally built for 800 students. It has almost 2,000 students,” Acuff said, noting the strain on infrastructure. While several new school facilities are under construction, Acuff acknowledged they won’t fully solve the capacity issue, and discussions around a new high school may resurface in the coming years due to rising costs and space demands. 

Listen to the full conversation here: