[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6307143,"mediaKeyId","2434959-e504b614067c347451e3221839d1fa03","parentId",2434959,"title","Norfolk school leaders propose $772.9 million operating budget; board presses for tutoring, device and staffing details","audioSeconds",492,"startMs",500000,"endMs",992000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2434959-e504b614067c347451e3221839d1fa03&start=500&end=992","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2434959-e504b614067c347451e3221839d1fa03/thumbnail_500000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307143/Virginia/Norfolk-school-leaders-propose-7729-million-operating-budget-board-presses-for-tutoring-device-and-staffing-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307143-cd64b0e56e965b60ac9250fb276f8582/orig.mp4?Expires=1770981343&Signature=myqWydeEYImvZiQ-KCE3CJVW~zqWtdiLBdK1i320VfGYIt8aOkFSdfrgEoczyCTcI5~A9VRHWRMAOoW1L4THCZ21ftUhq11KVEvX42O8eXlY4WzfrwdRXb06eKru2oRtxSPgT-Iwh9wWg8aBgMZ9cjn9hGKbNJxl5muipeY6uSpav9tHOCqqNvKhuDYzcHKu7b2B3X2aUNIUfN~d1cdBuoh2j36QFP7wD06s0GdkJKOZnFLpX0bvq5i~NHXxf35KxcEqhOSwP9drKWjRcKGk0bJlTgjwgRxRZFwm2VGc9Lny3XiXOy95eln0wkVOw2wCZ8wofxXJORsemjEKBnHhWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norfolk City Public School","date","2025-02-27T16:51:01Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Birdsong presented the Norfolk Public Schools proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 Tuesday, asking the school board to schedule a public hearing and to forward the proposal to Norfolk City Council for appropriation.

The proposed total operating budget is $772,900,000, with a $450,000,000 general (operating) fund and a proposed capital improvement budget of $253,000,000. The administration said state revenue is the largest single source at about $263,300,000, the city contribution is proposed at $167,700,000, and the remainder comes from federal and other local funds and an estimated reversion balance from fiscal 2024.

Why it matters: the budget sets teacher pay and staffing priorities, funds tutoring and instructional supports the board has identified as key to closing achievement gaps, and determines how Norfolk will spend an expected capital package and federal/state grants.

Administrators highlighted compensation and instructional investments. The proposal raises the starting teacher salary from $57,500 to $60,088 (a 4.5% increase that the administration said combines a one‑step increase and a cost‑of‑living adjustment). Employees at the top of the scale would receive a one‑time 2.2% bonus. Instructional support is the largest single category, proposed at $319,900,000. The budget also includes $8,500,000 labeled for tutoring and related supports.

Board members pressed for detail on several lines. On tutoring, the board asked whether $8.5 million will cover the mix of local tutors and contracted university‑instructor services the division used this year. Chief Academic staff said the $8.5 million “is part of the request” and that the figure was set to meet projected need; university instructors are included within that total and the division is finalizing an RFP to reestablish tutoring contracts. Administrators said the tutoring line grew from about $6 million last year partly because local “all‑in” funding is expected to expire and will need to be replaced from the operating budget.

On technology, board members raised persistent classroom and take‑home device problems. Chief Technology staff and the administration said Norfolk maintains a replacement cycle and that the proposed budget includes funding for infrastructure. Officials reported division device counts of 28,007 Chromebooks and 6,049 iPads and said there are currently 749 devices in repair. Administrators said the district still owns more devices than students overall but acknowledged gaps in device access at some schools and described moves toward classroom sets and MiFi checkouts to manage shortfalls. Dr. Cataldo (technology staff) said wireless access points are installed “in every single classroom” where needed and that older buildings sometimes require multiple units per room; he invited board members to report specific dead spots so the technology team can follow up.

Board members also pressed administrators on mental‑health and student support staffing. Administrators said the division has increased social worker and psychologist positions in recent budgets and uses programs such as CareSolace and Panorama; they also said higher reliance on contracted psychologists has driven some purchased‑services spending. The board asked for a clearer inventory of current positions and any proposed additional hires tied to potential state funding.

Legislative and calendar notes: administrators reviewed the schedule—public hearing on March 5, recommended board adoption on March 19, and an April 1 statutory deadline to submit the proposed operating budget to Norfolk City Council, which will appropriate funds in May. The administration said any appropriation differences will be reconciled with the board before final adoption in May.

Follow ups promised: administrators said they will provide the board with (1) a comparative salary analysis showing how Norfolk’s starting and overall teacher pay compares to neighboring districts, (2) a breakdown of the $8.5 million tutoring request (including the portion for university instructors vs. local hires), (3) a device/inventory and technology‑infrastructure report, and (4) analyses on mental‑health staffing and the cost implications of policy changes the board has discussed.

Quotations (from the meeting): “For this budget, we are proposing to increase the starting teacher pay from $57,500 to $60,088. That's a 4.5% increase,” Chief Finance Officer Cheryl Spivey said; Chief Academic staff added, “The funding that was requested…there's enough funding to cover where we've been, and our current needs are being met with local funded tutors as well as contract services tutors through university instructors.”

What’s next: a March 5 public hearing and a March 19 recommended board vote. Administrators said they will return with the requested supporting analyses before the board votes on adoption.

Ending: Board members signaled general support for the priorities administrators described but repeatedly asked for more granular data—on tutoring, device access and distribution, and mental‑health staffing—before making a final funding decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Business Meeting: 2-26-25","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Birdsong presented the Norfolk Public Schools proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 Tuesday, asking the school board to schedule a public hearing and to forward the proposal to Norfolk City Council for appropriation.","taxTitle","NORFOLK CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14513,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307133,"Students and family raise choir program removal and ROTC assault claim during public comment",605,8000000,8605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2434959-e504b614067c347451e3221839d1fa03&start=8000&end=8605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2434959-e504b614067c347451e3221839d1fa03/thumbnail_8000000.jpg","/articles/6307133/Virginia/Students-and-family-raise-choir-program-removal-and-ROTC-assault-claim-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307133-cac4e048a702b4074a67ff1db6ed570a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770981343&Signature=YW7kGABveUW924e45j3TjyULLxfnseyojw1VZNou1ZeMD~hdFlZIwePJPD~IBbpTn-SyLUxZXfWDtSORdtkAXuhLaapRoGhfOt0MmxwidKgr7JZusmU5YEu9Iu0QDsW0Ltg7SrTm3Q0-0C7jZKT0zar5AjW5FDHj0HpeJRvDQrqFuP8kvNoG9NTmrviSGoKC~PXUA0Zg7p1bycH9QLxLZVPFiie2J0dGTyHiNssydd6OQBl823kZJ6glkAPoECQyyPCy0pdHiNJ7gx0rMtpcZORusaQ2nuxY8fBIcPpp-lDSJQ~P5UxxtxxvK4AVWMgkjM-jsXqSXJ6dixgVY5ASYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two speakers used the public‑comment period to press the board for transparency and action on personnel and program matters.

Booker T. Washington High School junior Tremaine Spruill told the board that a choir director identified in Spruill’s remarks as “Mr. Ziegler” had been removed and that the program has since lost members and momentum. Spruill said the director “was not just a teacher. He is a mentor. He is a leader,” and told the board the choir has lost more than 60% of its members since the removal and that students had received no explanation. Spruill handed complaint letters to the clerk and asked the board to respond to students’ concerns.

A second speaker, identified on the meeting sign‑in as Precious Hayes, described herself as a retired Navy chief and the parent of a student who she said was assaulted by an NJROTC instructor. She told the board the family submitted statements and that the school division completed an investigation but the family had received no outcome or explanation she found satisfactory. Hayes said the incident had left her son chronically absent and asked the board to take action, emphasizing that she had “been unheard” and asking for resolution for her child and other students.

What the record shows: these statements were made as citizen comments and are allegations and requests for action by the speakers. The meeting record does not contain an administrative response or a public disciplinary finding. The speakers said they had submitted written materials to the clerk; the clerk acknowledged receiving documents.

Board procedure note: board members did not engage in extended public back‑and‑forth during the public‑comment period; administrators offered to follow up with building principals and directed staff to follow up individually where appropriate.

Quotations (verbatim from the public comment): “He gave us opportunities, pushed us to excellence…he was thrown away with no explanation,” Tremaine Spruill said. Precious Hayes said, “My son was assaulted by a ROTC instructor… I don't have any answers.”

Ending: Speakers asked for written and timely follow up; administrators accepted complaint letters and said they would investigate and follow up directly with families where appropriate.","Two speakers used the public‑comment period to press the board for transparency and action on personnel and program matters.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307138,"School board removes candidates for planning steering committee from closed‑session agenda after FOIA concerns",903,4557000,5460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2434959-e504b614067c347451e3221839d1fa03&start=4557&end=5460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2434959-e504b614067c347451e3221839d1fa03/thumbnail_4557000.jpg","/articles/6307138/Virginia/School-board-removes-candidates-for-planning-steering-committee-from-closedsession-agenda-after-FOIA-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307138-90740951ec5d80833f7d8858c4963273/orig.mp4?Expires=1770981343&Signature=ZarWDIMUVQDnvTWKsg2DL38r87PvmOuKzCEregxhWXc2YEcYeDdkggh9AxaeLRgetHtF-uTp0VQ9FPdluOPFCZZBa1MbNTcyAPjbwTDqb9Qm1D8kLOro8W~0GzcNeDKX9t2MbemhbPzQPvKS2g1L2dLaBtNbbYWfUEd1SbwDaQp276uWhBqjpCjSoELLr5bjTgcMoP9UL7IDASBpPi9n29-pF4I1BH~8bqq-xYWD01dpp~tJG1nLW~93ibbHrQStEFglM~NELnAeWUKWIfWw51qoDOUAasy5UhAr6gqh3mxXg8d2SotGouKjQgwkhpHDGGZHJWy5KBYXJgsyvVqr5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norfolk School Board on Tuesday amended its motion to enter closed session to remove discussion of specific candidates for an Educational Facilities Planning Steering Committee, after legal counsel warned that discussing volunteers who are not officers or employees could expose the board to a Freedom of Information Act challenge.

Why it matters: the exchange highlights change‑of‑process questions about whether an administration‑led steering committee constitutes a board advisory body and whether candidate discussion qualifies for a closed session under Virginia law.

Board member Colonel Ken Paulson moved to amend the planned closed‑session language to delete references to discussing candidates for the steering committee; other members and the board’s attorney debated whether the discussion, as written, would be permissible in closed session. The attorney advised caution and recommended postponing candidate discussion or requesting a written legal opinion to reduce the risk of a FOIA challenge. The board then approved the amendment by roll call and directed legal staff to issue a formal opinion before the item is reconsidered.

Discussion details: the board attorney explained the legal risk if a member later refused to certify a closed session, saying a refusal “would invite a lawsuit” and urging the board to seek a written opinion before proceeding. Several board members noted the committee had been described as an administrative (not board) committee and said they wanted more clarity on whether the body should be created or treated as an advisory committee under existing practice.

Action taken: the board amended the motion to remove the phrase that would have allowed discussion of specific candidates in connection with the steering committee and passed the amendment; the board directed counsel to prepare a written legal opinion about whether candidate discussion could lawfully occur in closed session or whether the division should instead establish the committee as a board advisory body.

Quotations (verbatim from the meeting): “If the motion is voted down, are you gonna participate in the closed session?” the attorney asked during debate; later the attorney advised, “it may be best for the board…to postpone this discussion and give us time to give you a formal legal written opinion.”

What’s next: board counsel will provide a written opinion before the district schedules any closed‑session discussion of candidates; the board may choose to reconvene the item publicly or to establish an advisory committee model if counsel advises that approach.

Ending: the amendment passed and the candidate discussion was removed from the closed‑session agenda pending written legal guidance.","A motion to amend the board’s closed‑session agenda deleted discussion of candidates for an Educational Facilities Planning Steering Committee after board counsel warned the topic might not be appropriate for a closed session. The board voted to amend the motion and asked legal staff to provide a written opinion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norfolk school leaders propose $772.9 million operating budget; board presses for tutoring, device and staffing details

Students and family raise choir program removal and ROTC assault claim during public comment

School board removes candidates for planning steering committee from closed‑session agenda after FOIA concerns