Amid a pandemic that upended public school funding last year, Virginia Beach Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence proposed an $828.8 million operating budget that focuses on the same bread-and-butter issues listed as priorities in previous years.
The proposal, which was presented to the school board Tuesday and will be voted on in March, is an increase of roughly $10 million from Spence’s first proposal last year before the pandemic led to cuts in school funding.
Spence’s priorities start with employee compensation, which he said is critical to boost not only because of the pandemic but also because Virginia routinely ranks as one of the lowest-paying states for teachers.
“Given what our teachers have endured this last year, it seems more important than ever that we make good on that request (to improve pay),” he said.
He also listed increased funding for specialty programs, such as environmental studies and Spanish immersion programs, as well as additional support for special education students and English Learners.
Here’s a look at the top focuses for next year’s budget:
Teacher pay
Spence proposed a 5% salary raise for most full-time employees — 4.5% would come from a cost of living adjustment and a .5% step increase for employees below the top of the school system’s pay scale — which would carry a price tag of nearly $28 million.
The decision comes after officials nixed a 3.5% raise for employees last year. Administrators have previously said that canceling those raises was the only way to avoid laying off staff amid the pandemic.
His proposal also includes creating 16 new guidance counselor positions for elementary and middle schools, to meet new state standards of quality requirements.
School construction projects
Two major projects are expected to wrap up this year, with a third just kicking off. A new Princess Anne Middle School, replacing a building built in 1974, and new administrative building known as Plaza Annex will be finished this year.
A new addition at Lynnhaven Middle School, which will house The Achievable Dream academy, will start construction this year and is scheduled to be completed in 2023.
Those three projects cost nearly $104 million.
Unmet needs
School leaders also shared a few additional needs that aren’t in this year’s operating budget, including:
$1.5 million to paint the interior of 10 schools
Replace 14 basketball scoreboards and several stage curtains
$8 million for a telephone system replacement
Nearly $12 million for additional personnel costs, including increased allowances for teachers with advanced degrees and offering incentives for early commitment signings
The school board will discuss the budget with the administration during the next three board meetings, before they vote on it March 2. School staff will then present their budget to the Virginia Beach City Council in April, which will vote on it by May 15.
Peter Coutu, 757-222-5124, peter.coutu@pilotonline.com
