Dear students, staff, and families,

Each year, Albemarle County residents make a significant investment in our public schools, and we take seriously our responsibility to ensure transparency and deliver a strong return on their investment. Through their local tax contributions, all of our residents help shape the future of our community by supporting high-quality public education — one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth, workforce development, and quality of life.

The benefits of this investment extend far beyond the classroom. Research shows that strong public schools support local economies, increase home values, and reduce long-term costs associated with crime and healthcare. Every $1 invested in public education is estimated to yield between $4 and $7 in long-term economic benefits. A community with strong schools and a well-educated workforce will attract businesses, increase income levels, and keep Albemarle County a vibrant place to live and work.

This year, while preparing our budget for the 2025-26 school year, we are faced with rising healthcare costs, enrollment growth, and reductions in state funding. We have had to make several difficult decisions to attempt to align our spending with our revenue, and after staffing adjustments, program changes, and operational savings, we are still facing a $750,000 gap.

It is still of the utmost importance to prioritize student needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility, and we believe this budget reflects ACPS’s commitment to supporting students, retaining high-quality educators, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. While rising costs and funding reductions present significant challenges, the school division has worked to focus resources on direct instructional support and student services, minimizing the impact on the classroom.

If you would like to share your thoughts with the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors as they finalize the budget for the county at large, there are several opportunities for engagement in the coming weeks, including public hearings and town halls.

No matter what we face, we remain committed to ending the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success. A final vote on the 2025-26 budget is scheduled for May 8, 2025. Updates and additional information can be found at k12albemarle.org/budget.

Dr. Matthew Haas

Superintendent
Check out Dr. Haas' weekly check-in with staff!

Just a quick reminder—next year’s school calendar includes an earlier start date. The first day of school for students this year is Wednesday, August 13. This shift supports best practices for learning and aligns with other local school divisions.

Please take a moment to review the 2025-26 School Calendar (available in English and Spanish) and consider any adjustments needed for summer plans.

Thank you for your partnership in preparing for a great start to next school year!

A lot has happened this month! Here's what we think is important to know:

DonorsChoose will have special matching opportunities during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. NOW is a great time to think about projects to create and post to take advantage of those matches! If you're new to DonorsChoose or have questions, please reach out to acpsdonorschoose@gmail.com.

Venture Studio is for students interested in Entrepreneurship, Business & Innovation. Venture Studio offers multiple pathways to explore your interests such as Commercial Arts & Design, Hospitality & Tourism, Consumer Science, and Design Your Own.

Learn more on our Scholars Studios webpage.

...we are hosting a listening tour to gather feedback on our School Resource Officer expansion process? We are committed to engaging our community in a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative process as we consider expanding the SRO program. Recognizing the critical importance of stakeholder voice — particularly that of students, families, and community members — we'll be embarking on a multisession engagement process to gather input to ensure that our decisions are informed by those most impacted.

Find events you can attend on our website.

Email: superintendentoffice@k12albemarle.org
Website: k12albemarle.org
Location: 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA, USA
Phone: (434) 296-5820
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K12Albemarle
Twitter: @k12albemarle