The Manassas City School Board on Monday reviewed a revised FY 2028 budget development calendar that eliminates an early work session and advances key deadlines to allow more meaningful discussion and better preparation for a joint presentation with the city.
Director of Finance Taft Kelly presented the draft calendar during the board’s regular meeting. He explained two primary process changes from prior years.
First, the traditional November or December budget work session has been removed. State revenue numbers typically arrive around December 15, leaving limited useful data for that earlier session. The first work session is now scheduled for January 7, giving staff time to analyze the state figures and present actual results.
Second, the superintendent’s proposed budget will move to the first regular February meeting on February 9, rather than the second February session. This shift advances the overall timeline and creates additional preparation time before the joint session with the city.
The full revised schedule is:
- January 7: first work session
- February 9: superintendent’s proposed budget
- February 23: public hearing
- March 2: final markup / second work session
- March 9: planned adoption
- Joint session with the city: date to be determined
Board Member Lisa Stevens supported the changes. She noted that new members joining in January after elections previously arrived mid-process and needed to catch up on earlier budget discussions. She also appreciated the earlier presentation and adoption dates, saying prior years often produced a vote followed the next day by the city joint session, which created problems.
Board Member Dayna-Marie Miles also backed the revisions. She pointed to previous board discussion about needing more time to discuss the budget and unfunded needs before presenting to the city. The new calendar, she said, provides almost an extra few weeks before that step.
Chair Jill Spall closed the item by observing that the board is “learning and adapting.” She thanked Kelly for the suggestions.
The calendar was presented for discussion only. No formal vote was taken on the schedule itself. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman was present for the meeting.
