[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6305940,"mediaKeyId","2442814-03a7cd1b6889672c854aa0ee32bb84e0","parentId",2442814,"title","Suffolk superintendent unveils 2025-26 budget proposal that includes pay raises, SROs in elementary schools and staffing requests","audioSeconds",2414,"startMs",3890000,"endMs",6304000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442814-03a7cd1b6889672c854aa0ee32bb84e0&start=3890&end=6304","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442814-03a7cd1b6889672c854aa0ee32bb84e0/thumbnail_3890000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6305940/Virginia/Suffolk-superintendent-unveils-2025-26-budget-proposal-that-includes-pay-raises-SROs-in-elementary-schools-and-staffing-requests","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305940-db2e740ef976b8f4cc23d6d4ecab1386/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171669&Signature=j6nmMRnbPayhEkqSEqZykaI8mXaOktZEuP~sAuV8GMrzP4qL7E27AnQ6YCVLvXfoF2rfcztkV4x5wIEr4jEqrSS6YIFVXI-glIkoX-TPxSRJi0kfhQgghWvmV9JnwHiQ49JL9UJJYF50ePgJW4iZBND161uYRJBcLg8kJuMgm-Fbh~ieaQ0-suMBSbQuRmkQHlBrBp66E4xEYvR0~nXMLQHX4O6RJMan8e~4x49PuREAdhTXFOfnHhPphn7qSijzqNOyfc-fu8QwAB5WORoDeVPi1d9OqvLN5K8fd~Wbn-ihGkOw3U4VOwru8BgoIZ-bEH0x-9f~3FnmsSaRXS4P8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Suffolk City School Board","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Gordon presented Suffolk Public Schools’ proposed 2025–26 operating budget to the school board on Feb. 27, asking the city for $7 million in additional local funding while proposing pay increases, new positions and expanded safety and instructional supports.

The proposal includes a mandated 3% state raise and district adjustments that raise the starting teacher salary to $56,975, additional instructional and support positions (including reading and English language learner teachers), a staffing specialist in human resources, and a districtwide plan to place a school resource officer (SRO) in each of the district’s 11 elementary schools. Dr. Gordon described the SRO addition as a major item and said local law-enforcement partners had indicated they could help staff the positions.

Dr. Gordon told the board the governor’s proposed budget added roughly $3.2 million to the division’s revenues but that much of the grant funding the district previously used — including the \"All In\" recovery grant — expires June 30 and will not be replaced. \"That $3,200,000 covers about 60% of the raise,\" he said, adding the district must balance mandated investments such as the Virginia Literacy Act, new SOL standards and the new accreditation system against limited state support.

Budget documents presented by Wendy Forsman, finance staff, break the proposed operating budget into state-required program categories and show the district’s total operating fund proposal at about $214.1 million, with salaries and benefits comprising roughly 84% of operating expenditures. Forsman described the budget book structure, explained the executive summary and noted that nonregular-day programs (which include summer school, Saturday Academy and before/after-school tutoring) are now reported in the operating fund.

The superintendent and finance staff said several important items could not be fully funded without local support or restoration of expired grants. Among those deferred or partially funded in the proposed plan were additional ELL teachers (the chief requested seven), expanded virtual tutoring and Saturday programs, a science specialist tied to the district’s STEM plan, and additional custodial and maintenance needs across aging facilities. Forsman said the district typically cannot finalize the amount of year-end fund balance until April or May, and staff will return with budget-transfer requests and line-item clarifications if the board approves equipment or contract actions in advance.

Board members asked for a running, prioritized \"unfunded request\" list so the board can quickly direct year-end or unexpected funds to high-priority items. Dr. Gordon said staff will provide a process and encouraged board members to submit questions to him or Forsman by the deadlines the administration set for March so staff can respond before joint meetings with the city council. The board did not take a final vote on the 2025–26 budget at the Feb. 27 meeting; staff requested feedback and set dates for follow-up and public engagement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SUFFOLK CITY PBLC SCHS February 27, 2025 - Special School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Gordon presented the proposed 2025–26 budget that maintains a 3% mandated raise, increases starting teacher pay to $56,975, seeks city funding for SROs in all elementary schools, and asks for $7 million from the city to cover priorities and inflationary costs.","taxTitle","SUFFOLK CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14519,"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},6305945,"Suffolk School Board approves renovation contract, HVAC award for proposed Innovation Center",2956,876000,3832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442814-03a7cd1b6889672c854aa0ee32bb84e0&start=876&end=3832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442814-03a7cd1b6889672c854aa0ee32bb84e0/thumbnail_876000.jpg","/articles/6305945/Virginia/Suffolk-School-Board-approves-renovation-contract-HVAC-award-for-proposed-Innovation-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305945-5307bca3e8ef1a588aecb024ab0d2d11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171669&Signature=U8psWt-lzIsVo3g7Xz0dxyhwGHGwPbY1bxiHhRXtDzPRM7HykqqwOZnz4~8t4RKXpSTM2qFhGdMIL1fEaDkGKigh4KBk-SAEm5wff-SLF1G0PAnSx7eaH1IOGJ1KFB5A2W76EqnJLuvW7oyfqIcmAsfkMkpAJ~4p1W~ltVhg9CDCASmczdyiiDpwbU50YvVih-JJk~-K-~ItkaLM0tteve8-3yftpFQeWbZfNFaBwWzGkwGbHab1hKNw8YZwMWav3SPIbL2J8SlhLziBAlvwNdZ6fsKFct3oRNq7PUK5E6LOLbEamSbklfdqUQ1TrgtwI2DNaY6MwxiPY6LPiePpAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Suffolk School Board on Feb. 27 approved contracts to renovate the former Children’s Center into an Innovation Center to accommodate 16 instructional specialists and authorized purchase of rooftop HVAC units needed for the conversion.

The approval gives GC Commercial Incorporated a renovation contract for $773,444.46 and authorizes a separate award to Trane US Incorporated for rooftop HVAC units. The contracts were presented to the board as necessary to convert a building whose plumbing and restroom layout were designed for young children and whose HVAC units require replacement before the space can be used for adult staff and collaborative instruction, officials said.

Dr. Gordon, superintendent, told the board that staff had provided multiple months of background information and cost estimates before bringing formal resolutions. \"The quote for this is actually $205,427,\" he said, referring to the HVAC equipment, and noted the GC Commercial award \"includes the HVAC work from Trane.\" Board members were shown the February bid and the architect’s preliminary work and a city memo about the demolition estimate for the Freeny Avenue facility as part of the materials that informed the recommendation.

Board members raised questions about alternative space and funding. Vice Chair McGee and others asked whether any ready-to-occupy buildings existed for the 16 specialists and whether mobile units at the Freeny Avenue site might still be usable; staff replied the two mobile units there were beyond safe use and would collapse if moved or touched. Finance staff said the renovation would use projected year-end fund balance money derived from salary savings and other year-end variances rather than a dedicated capital allotment.

Board members also pressed staff on contingency planning. Several asked for a prioritized list of unfunded needs and a standing \"unfunded request\" list so the board can more quickly allocate year-end funds when they are available. Dr. Gordon and Wendy Forsman, finance staff, explained that the district typically can estimate year-end availability only in April and May once revenue and enrollment numbers stabilize, and that ordering HVAC equipment now is critical because equipment lead times are 10–16 weeks.

The board voted on two resolutions. On resolution 24/25-20 to award GC Commercial Incorporated for the renovation, the vote was 6–1, with Dr. Brittingham voting no and six members voting yes. On resolution 24/25-21 to award Trane US Incorporated for the rooftop HVAC units, the vote was unanimous among seven voting members.

The renovation and equipment orders are intended to be phased so rooftop HVAC units can be ordered immediately if the board affirms the contracts, with additional renovation work proceeding as funds are identified and transferred before June 30 or carried into the next fiscal year if necessary.","The Suffolk School Board approved two contracts to renovate the former Children’s Center into an Innovation Center to house 16 instructional specialists and ordered rooftop HVAC units, with the board voting to award GC Commercial Inc. and Trane US Inc.","actionData","errors"]

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Suffolk superintendent unveils 2025-26 budget proposal that includes pay raises, SROs in elementary schools and staffing requests

Suffolk School Board approves renovation contract, HVAC award for proposed Innovation Center