[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6652180,"mediaKeyId","2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362","parentId",2494240,"title","Harrisonburg superintendent details fiscal 2026 priorities, calls for pay increases and new special‑education staff","audioSeconds",1852,"startMs",1739525,"endMs",3592000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362&start=1739&end=3592","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362/thumbnail_1739525.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6652180/Virginia/Harrisonburg-superintendent-details-fiscal-2026-priorities-calls-for-pay-increases-and-new-specialeducation-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652180-393072293b5d128cf61a063cb63a17a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119771&Signature=Ab2egiRu6P2YhlpGlDTApOVZd-g2AjO~kho6SOed1XDjeWSG~5looQvwmEb779~W0kPcoP32idJ0A~vBhCyOusvS7XyP5tAUqssGcPkszlzDubPG7xaCvsp0N8~-9ytQo2RSF5p0N9ThdBErCfSyDVb3pL12MGg23Yin0oINTie5GJNtrwPkIYd2CD~4xwQc~NtaL39REgeUSixF80LapQcOA45zzb2rVXSQ0mbmDbOVkpDnr7eZmUU~fUByt3P1rOHc~R~Q3DadRvbUYczX3TY0-wHnD-sjLSQIg9lzUJpB8Li5mJ08x4NwA3L21uyKVbET3rHX4mTZJswxqfRB0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harrisonburg","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Daniel Richards presented the Harrisonburg City Public Schools’ recommended fiscal 2026 operating budget on March 4, highlighting proposed personnel investments and next steps in the review process.

Richards said the recommended budget is needs‑based and centers on four priorities: academic excellence, partnerships, attracting and retaining talented staff, and safe learning environments. He described the division’s approach to enrollment forecasting and revenue sources, noting reliance on state funding as the largest source and a substantial local share from the City of Harrisonburg. \"The state is offering teachers a 3 percent raise,\" Richards said, framing the local budget choices that follow.

Why it matters: the budget proposal outlines recurring personnel commitments and new positions that would carry into future years. The superintendent described a package that would give a 3% across‑the‑board raise to staff while increasing pay more for lowest‑paid school employees, raising substitute pay and adding positions targeted to special education and English‑learner services.

Key details and proposals

- Pay and compensation: Richards said the division plans a 3% raise across staff and an additional targeted increase for lowest‑paid employees. Separately, the finance director gave a rule‑of‑thumb cost estimate: \"Every 1% for everyone is about 850,000. So we'd be looking at an additional 425,000 for that half percent,\" said Kirwan. The recommended budget also increases substitute pay to be more competitive.

- New positions and staffing: the proposal includes roughly 40 new full‑time equivalent (FTE) positions, of which Richards said 20 respond to changes in state standards for English‑learner staffing. The budget also proposes six elementary‑level special‑education lead positions (one per elementary campus) to strengthen IEP development, family engagement and in‑school supports; additional special‑education teachers and paraprofessionals were listed as priorities as well.

- Revenue assumptions and risks: Richards said the division is asking the city for approximately $2.9 million (about a 6% increase) above the current city appropriation and expects a possible 5.6% increase from the state if the General Assembly’s budget holds. He noted federal funding is a comparatively small share of the total operating budget but flagged potential federal changes: \"we have calculated based on existing legislation that may or may not go through that that could be a $1,300,000 impact on us,\" Richards said.

- Other items: the superintendent identified funding for core curricular resources, multi‑tiered student supports (MTSS) tools, continued investment in mental‑health teams (psychologists, social workers, counselors and behavior specialists) and cyclical technology refresh as priorities.

Process and next steps

Richards said the budget team began meetings with school and program budget managers in November and invited board questions; the board set a public work session on March 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Rocktown High School for a detailed review. Board members were asked to submit questions to the superintendent and to the finance director, Kirwan, who pledged to post Q&A publicly ahead of the work session.

What the board will weigh: board members and staff noted tradeoffs between honoring the state‑level raise and the division’s desire to compress salaries so lower‑paid employees receive relatively larger increases. Richards said the recommended package includes an extra targeted increase for custodians and instructional/nutrition assistants to move toward a living wage.

Evidence: presentation slides and staff comments at the March 4 school‑board meeting explained assumptions, FTE requests that were not funded this year, and the schedule for public hearings and the capital improvement program (CIP) review.

Ending: Board members thanked finance and budget staff for the work on the book and materials. The superintendent asked the public to submit questions via email; the administration said it will answer questions publicly at the March 18 work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harrisonburg - City School Board on 2025-03-04 7:00 PM - Mar 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Daniel Richards presented the Harrisonburg City Public Schools’ recommended fiscal 2026 operating budget on March 4, highlighting proposed personnel investments and next steps in the review process.","taxTitle","HARRISONBURG CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",80494,"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},6652165,"Harrisonburg school board opposes bill to eliminate U.S. Department of Education; asks congressman for meeting",687,6894875,7582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362&start=6894&end=7582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362/thumbnail_6894875.jpg","/articles/6652165/Virginia/Harrisonburg-school-board-opposes-bill-to-eliminate-US-Department-of-Education-asks-congressman-for-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652165-71e55dacd883b513d3244695f367ebdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119771&Signature=jY6fWSPxfsVMKFIjckFQcDukdWHePQBEZ3Z53Q0oggTMFdmZF9kwF4sFe3Sacra5RUGZ9bIldIH3APv~5RNtzt7aMbt1No-VXA7Aree2BHWIpdM8w7S-vAYh9J8ZRpCfdWtxdRCp5YSHffpYEGyGraOFuDouff~NMiBcGp8lRa9Nz9Yk-9ZpxyhDBWShWEzZHHxbVowbA9h6-iV3jnfbRof~DjIqvUoMW1hnnIvcDiyrSn-olIQ2ssjwX2bmvL38rclp4~68xWKNkk3uSs2re~2UKlS2y28XZeMip9CipG2Qx9mAHsJLH7htHcJwTP70j~qUJbn9H4fRhqfN9wQF9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harrisonburg City School Board voted March 4 to adopt a resolution opposing House Bill 899 — a measure described in the resolution as proposing elimination of the U.S. Department of Education — and requested a meeting with Congressman Ben Cline, identified by the board as a co‑sponsor, to discuss local impacts.

The resolution framed federal programs such as Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as critical supports for students from low‑income households, students with disabilities and English learners. \"Eliminating the U.S. Department of Education would put these essential resources at risk,\" Vice Chair Holly (presenter) said when introducing the resolution.

Board debate and vote

Board members discussed the potential uncertainty and loss of federal oversight and funding, and the resolution language was described by supporters as a nonpartisan defense of programs that provide services to vulnerable students. The board moved the measure and approved it by roll call. The vote recorded in the minutes was: Mister Snyder, aye; Miss Siegel, abstain; Miss Laughlin, aye; Dr. Cohen, aye; Dr. Ali, aye; Chair Terry Phillips, aye.

The resolution directs that copies be sent to Representative Cline, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, Virginia’s congressional delegation, the governor and the Virginia Department of Education.

Ending: The board asked staff to transmit the resolution and to continue outreach to the congressman’s office; the superintendent reported staff contact with Representative Cline’s office but no direct meeting yet with the congressman.
","The board passed a resolution opposing House Bill 899, which would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, and called for a meeting with U.S. Rep. Ben Cline to discuss implications. The resolution passed by roll call with one abstention.",{"_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},6652168,"Parents voice walkability and dual‑immersion concerns at Waterman during redistricting public hearing",930,4419130,5350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362&start=4419&end=5350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362/thumbnail_4419130.jpg","/articles/6652168/Virginia/Parents-voice-walkability-and-dualimmersion-concerns-at-Waterman-during-redistricting-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652168-7c0c9f5ca5a22bd7f03f7b7c22d7d91e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119771&Signature=KzGOT6CPI6J7SXxeW6CewxDLChS3rd5sQ0KiD~SgJIdWwszOs8OAeiLaMfI3PBVhoP3VqDlRoCHYXLinir-JgQRTXnHbwh5ii6GhLmm7RDx6EQNCbZAxZT~-xTO9dwTAntJTgHR~3l-KpXNvS3zRafRiPB7ldzlNA6hg1yvuxVcQzQ2eFxukNl0eLnF~LAC1kxNysUpi3Ti46XxMOSX7lw8YkpEYXYEohbMU0qA4OqA4MCFkaiqJepMGHDnXMlVemMdGg08TWrCQd6TxljZT~S-VWpXGrYIN33z7zLzdBF0vyauboGsLPjHtUpv-LPI5udPOGMlLlel2q~1HdC1j9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harrisonburg City School Board held a public hearing March 4 on proposed redistricting of attendance zones and heard parents urge the board to weigh walkability, program continuity and special‑education transitions when making final decisions.

At the podium, Allison Garcia, a parent of a fourth grader who lives on Rockingham Drive, said she bought her house in 2008 for its walkability to Waterman Elementary and to access the division’s dual‑immersion program. \"It is 0.8 miles from my house to Waterman,\" Garcia said, and she told the board her family relies on walking and neighborhood connections. She said a move to Bluestone — about three miles away — would remove walkability and would be a disruptive change as her son moves to fifth grade with an existing individualized education program.

Tom Moran, a former K‑12 teacher and current teacher educator at James Madison University who lives on Waterman Drive and has a child in the dual‑immersion program, told the board that neighborhood parks and community events anchor families and argued Waterman’s local connections and recent outreach by school leaders create a strong community fabric. Moran asked whether Bluestone could accommodate any dual‑immersion transfers that might result from redistricting.

Board process and next steps

School staff reminded speakers that the board had already collected significant emailed input and that the board planned to take a final vote at the March 18 work session. The administration also noted that while the March 18 work session will include calendar and budget hearings, it will not host another public hearing on redistricting; the March 4 public hearing and emailed comments are the designated public input opportunities.

Ending: The board closed the public hearing and encouraged public comment via email before the March 18 work session.","At a March 4 public hearing on proposed attendance‑zone redistricting, parents urged the board to consider walkability, continuity for dual‑immersion students and special‑education transitions; board reminded speakers the board will decide at a work session and that the public may provide written comments.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6652172,"Board agrees to explore JROTC waiver to allow program to meet PE requirement; no formal vote",438,3973315,4412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362&start=3973&end=4412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362/thumbnail_3973315.jpg","/articles/6652172/Virginia/Board-agrees-to-explore-JROTC-waiver-to-allow-program-to-meet-PE-requirement-no-formal-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652172-a93dd0a263a27dda0ca73690802cc27b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119771&Signature=JkYCWzQfHaOge6M9UKLZAbObU0CQBkT2tbIteulkuxFgF0KQDVZuNdEp1taX4NCYiDLAtk--D5BnszHPX3xd3T8BTp8sdWKEKzzsxBIiES61g~tvEMJztI1qQIHDWPbVUCjWSf8l-q4ED36NoNGpGTPkHUWTbyyHAVnWtATMHsyidE73Fj8HuyfUOjEJWxKbLCGtoKOGewwDToyumK-IcTMdJYSbp9OAR1CL8Iu2m-~z79bKlNyKrjoKtga1bRmLtTNcYdRjBGoVmHlmBu97UHUvoeQdykbONJng9qSOmzAPR6OapaqMlNVWiPbaMts3f3NY90pxGiE8Kmf6JMYSBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School district staff asked the board March 4 for permission to explore a pilot that would allow ninth‑grade Army JROTC participation to count as the physical‑education component of students’ Health and PE graduation requirements.

What was proposed: the administration said state law now allows local boards flexibility for JROTC participants. The plan under consideration would let ninth graders who choose the pathway count their JROTC physical training toward PE 9 and complete the health content asynchronously (for example, via Edmentum/PLATO). The waiver would not replace required health or driver‑education content in later grades; students could opt out and take traditional Health/PE if they prefer.

Why it matters: proponents said the change could free student schedules, reduce Health/PE class sizes and recognize the intensive physical training and leadership work JROTC students already complete. The administration emphasized it intends a soft launch to gauge student interest before creating a combined health curriculum.

Details discussed at the meeting

- Scope and safeguards: principals asked to identify appropriate candidates and to preserve health‑skills instruction, including sensitive topics that typically require adult‑led discussion. The administration proposed multiple delivery options: online modules, JMU partnership lessons, or integrating JROTC students into health lessons when those are taught.

- Participation estimate: the administration told the board the maximum number affected would be about 34 ninth‑grade JROTC students in a year; the district expects similar numbers next year.

Board action: no formal vote; board members asked clarifying questions and then gave a head‑nod to \"continue exploring\" the pilot rather than approving an immediate policy change. Staff will consult JMU, high‑school health/PE teachers and principals to map JROTC competencies against Virginia Health and PE standards and to draft a plan that preserves required health‑skills instruction.

Ending: The administration will return with a concrete proposal if student interest and curricular mapping indicate the pilot is feasible.","School leaders proposed a pilot allowing ninth‑grade Army JROTC participation to substitute for PE 9; students would complete the health portion online. The board gave a head‑nod to continue exploring the option and staff will coordinate curriculum and health‑skills delivery with JMU and high‑school teachers.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6652176,"School board approves makeup plan for missed instructional time; adopts calendar changes for 2025‑26 draft",988,5821935,6810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362&start=5821&end=6810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2494240-3f9a983abf9b0a61c0f2e337edc05362/thumbnail_5821935.jpg","/articles/6652176/Virginia/School-board-approves-makeup-plan-for-missed-instructional-time-adopts-calendar-changes-for-202526-draft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652176-5936f1eaf1bb0858bc4df9bfb07f2100/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119771&Signature=A5oZSOqVXSFrcbFpOB0BOcXCGi2vxKwqV4qgeF8owcGzIg07VEgf4Gqnxe2o-LArNqX1Hz99tVRn79T75UoaUfLf2khoXExK2sfP1H2Umyc9NwBXBT8ZTM66kWbYf4XKkUhmkRABlq6usg7JVcXuXWhSnV7LtSCaMPliPOOlMRTg8EDeY~sYGrAwg7VnBpUXO2790APcaE-xJ7bvZI6ty3KMrH8Bd9KpVLsL4YsoKAfGXAmucwNHloX2sMgtwQ9lQjp0U0U72kx15t2VxsZjSWRcerA0nAIQ7K2mO65QSdYyKLtwMbF41tOcnJslnrMAF6ERz-4vEi51tPjc8TkElg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harrisonburg City School Board voted on March 4 to adopt the administration’s plan to make up missed instructional time caused by winter storms and flooding and to publish proposed calendar changes for 2025‑26.

What the board approved: the board approved converting March 10 into a full instructional day for all students (pre‑K through grade 12) and converting March 28 and April 21 into instructional days for pre‑K through grade 5 only. The administration said those conversions meet most of the lost time at the elementary level; staff will request a state waiver for a remaining 2.67 hours of elementary instructional time.

Why it matters: the district missed multiple full days and two‑hour delays earlier in the year; making up time preserves compliance with state instructional‑time requirements and reduces the need for longer school days or an extended school year. The administration said a state waiver may be requested for the small remaining shortfall after the conversions. If the waiver is denied, the district’s fallback would be to add minutes or convert additional days.

How the decision was reached

The administration reported broad participation in a survey on makeup preferences: 693 staff members and 1,255 families responded. The top preference from both groups was converting workdays into instructional days; adding minutes to existing days was the second preference.

Dr. Blosser presented the survey results and the recommended plan. Board members discussed concerns about teachers’ need for unencumbered workdays to complete grading and report cards; the administration committed to coordinating with principals to reduce meeting loads during the affected period.

Board action and follow‑up

A motion to accept the proposed makeup plan carried unanimously. The administration will seek a state waiver for the remaining elementary shortfall (2.67 hours) and told the board it will provide additional public information if the waiver is denied and additional makeup measures are required.

2025‑26 calendar update

Using the survey results, the board approved a revised draft 2025‑26 calendar that lists potential inclement‑weather makeup days (March 20, April 6 and May 1) to be used only if necessary. The board discussed avoiding certain days that are important for teachers’ unencumbered work time. The 2025‑26 draft will be available for public review, and the board will finalize the calendar in the usual budget/calendar timeline.

Ending: The board called the calendar and makeup decisions a measured response guided by staff and family input; further details and any waiver outcome will be published ahead of final budget and calendar adoption.","After a staff and family survey, the board voted to convert three workdays into instructional days to make up winter weather losses and approved draft 2025‑26 calendar adjustments that include possible inclement‑weather makeup days.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Harrisonburg superintendent details fiscal 2026 priorities, calls for pay increases and new special‑education staff

Harrisonburg school board opposes bill to eliminate U.S. Department of Education; asks congressman for meeting

Parents voice walkability and dual‑immersion concerns at Waterman during redistricting public hearing

Board agrees to explore JROTC waiver to allow program to meet PE requirement; no formal vote

School board approves makeup plan for missed instructional time; adopts calendar changes for 2025‑26 draft