Delaying the Inevitable

Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors and Our Public Schools

Shenandoah County,has a problem with its schools. The buildings are old and need major repairs, but the county hasn’t been spending enough money to fix them. The main reason for this is the way the county handles its finances.

The county has rules to make sure it doesn’t borrow too much money and stays financially stable. These rules help keep the county in good financial shape, but they also make it very cautious about borrowing money—even for important projects like fixing schools. This caution, combined with a lack of access to government grants, has made it hard for the schools to get enough funding. In short, Shenandoah County has too good of credit and it's ability to borrow makes Shenandoah County Public Schools ineligible to receive State and Federal monies to improve or build school buildings.

The Board of Supervisors, which manages the county’s budget, has consistently chosen to spend money on other priorities instead of on school repairs and maintenance.

This careful approach to spending has caused problems for Shenandoah County Public Schools. With limited resources, schools have had to make temporary fixes instead of big, necessary repairs. This has left many school buildings in bad shape, which aff

ects both education quality and safety for students and staff. The idea that spending money on building infrastructure can be put off again and again is long past the point of financial sense. Many buildings are in serious disrepair and are now facing unprecedented overcrowding. With the vast amoujt of new housing being built around the most crowded schools something needs to happen immediately.

The Board of Supervisors has kicked this can down the road for far too long and each time they do, although it saves taxpayers at the time, it will cost the citizens more in the future. Construction and Maintenance don't get cheaper by putting them off. This year the BOS has decided to use reserve funds to fund operational costs and is cutting the Capital Improvement Plan budget for SCPS once again.

Looking ahead, the county needs to find ways to balance its financial stability with the needs of its schools. Fixing and improving school buildings isn’t just a cost—it’s an investment in the community and its future. By making long-term plans and exploring creative ways to fund school repairs, Shenandoah County can ensure its children have safe and supportive places to learn.