[{"_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",6296936,"mediaKeyId","2512428-909934c10c6ff83f7d61976a2bb09035","parentId",2512428,"title","Board reviews FY 2025–26 compensation options and six‑year CIP; Princess Anne High School funding pushed outside plan","audioSeconds",1612,"startMs",5858000,"endMs",7470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2512428-909934c10c6ff83f7d61976a2bb09035&start=5858&end=7470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2512428-909934c10c6ff83f7d61976a2bb09035/thumbnail_5858000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6296936/Virginia/Board-reviews-FY-202526-compensation-options-and-sixyear-CIP-Princess-Anne-High-School-funding-pushed-outside-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6296936-1d0711636181bed748d4b4300bc7617f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424423&Signature=VKGhEnhNaUXNGivl4uWGM0mP93-kY~ufv9JFCMBth96YVLqSeZVxwIDvT8CyVnAhqO9s85RNvJZjaIOFk~piFMJ5sbdUJG2UllUXDZBOSkgQXkG2WEBjiK0lXRw9yQwWgBtArj5nTZBQ4EV78Bsp0tvyMVoaAp6UF~vGSaJo1uys90n9I5NLQ18YbhxwM-enDePTynQy2vtyvnl2i3XhOzRBB~sWG~KkWzx4n6-OJbrj2oohR9uLF24Vdis6Q9dPWImFwa1K7wriRnoUIriKL5Q-VtwojWCVpOZ6~a-TEZulQuV61OgZb~ZZXX9f39mp5yEWM6qCt-IEMYYDl~d5pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","VA Beach City Public School","date","2025-03-05T13:55:32Z","article","Crystal Pate, the division’s chief financial officer, presented the operating‑budget portion of the superintendent’s estimate of needs (SEON) and compensation scenarios at the March 4 special meeting. Dr. John B. Robertson, the superintendent, and Mr. Freeman (CIP lead) also briefed the board on capital priorities and a city request to reduce public‑facility revenue bonds.

Pate walked members through multiple compensation packages modeled for instructional and unified pay scales. Staff presented combinations labeled in briefing materials as Options A, B and C (different entry increases and step increments) and provided estimated total costs and resulting budget gaps under each combination:

- One combination (Option A for instructional and Option A for unified) would average a 6.41% increase for instructional staff and an 8.1% average increase for unified staff at a combined cost of about $47,300,000; after the employer health‑insurance increase already included in the SEON ($8,000,000) and a vacancy allocation of $11,700,000, staff showed a projected deficit of roughly $21,400,000 under that scenario.

- A lower‑cost combination (Option B for both scales in staff materials) produced a combined cost of about $33,300,000 and a projected deficit of about $7,300,000 under the same baseline assumptions.

- The most modest combination in the packet (Option C for instructional and Option B for unified as presented) produced an aggregate cost of about $29,200,000 and a projected deficit of about $3,200,000.

Pate said the SEON includes an $8,000,000 employer contribution increase for health insurance and a planned allocation of $11,700,000 for unfilled position vacancy savings; Chief Financial Officer Pate and the superintendent said that vacancy‑savings allocation makes further reductions to discretionary balances challenging and that staff will prepare a list of what $11,700,000 in reductions would mean for services and positions.

Board members pushed for scenarios that prioritize starting pay and for clearer comparisons of take‑home effects after benefits. Several members said compensation is the board’s top priority; Ms. Rogers and other members pressed staff for detailed options that would avoid “pay‑to‑play” student fees. Pate said final compensation decisions will depend on any additional state funding and on city‑level coordination; the governor’s actions and the General Assembly’s final budget were scheduled in the coming weeks and could change the SEON.

On capital planning, the board heard that the city requested reduced public‑facility revenue borrowing in the submitted CIP. Staff said they submitted a revised CIP that levels public‑facility revenue bond borrowing across the six‑year period and, as a consequence, shifts Princess Anne High School out of the six‑year window. Mr. Freeman and consultant work with Davenport showed project cost growth driven by inflation and explained that in a flat‑funding scenario new‑construction funding declines and pushes projects beyond the six‑year horizon. Dr. Robertson noted the Princess Anne school project amount in current materials and said the project appears in the division’s internal planning at $176,000,000 and that the SEON currently shows roughly $196,000,000 when $20,000,000 already programmed in the CIP is included.

The board asked staff to prepare additional detail: an itemized list of proposed cuts that would achieve the $11.7 million vacancy savings target; further analysis of CIP phasing and non‑traditional options; and lifecycle and LEED‑related cost/benefit information for HVAC and building‑efficiency decisions (board members referenced policy 3‑67 on LEED considerations for new construction and major renovations). Mr. Freeman said staff will return with options and recommended next steps and that the city’s debt‑metric expectations require collaboration.

Votes at a glance: The board voted to adopt the meeting agenda at the start of the session. Dr. Green moved approval; Mr. Culpepper seconded. The clerk recorded a 10‑yes vote for adoption.

Ending: Staff said they will return at subsequent workshops (including a March 25 session) with amended budget options dependent on any state funding actions and with the requested lists of cuts, CIP alternatives and additional cost detail.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting Session 1 - 03/04/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the March 4 special meeting the Virginia Beach City Public Schools budget team presented multiple pay‑scale scenarios and a revised six‑year capital plan; staff said an $8 million employer health contribution is included in the superintendent’s estimate and that reduced public‑facility borrowing has pushed Princess Anne High School outside the six‑year CIP window.","taxTitle","VA BEACH CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14520,"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},6296941,"Midyear academic update: elementary literacy screening shows midyear gains, division adopts new growth assessment",1326,3920000,5246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2512428-909934c10c6ff83f7d61976a2bb09035&start=3920&end=5246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2512428-909934c10c6ff83f7d61976a2bb09035/thumbnail_3920000.jpg","/articles/6296941/Virginia/Midyear-academic-update-elementary-literacy-screening-shows-midyear-gains-division-adopts-new-growth-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6296941-8914f0faabda1e7e757a37d8fe5162ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424423&Signature=b1aa~BzGVG6ODWtZ5CXfwxrY00bndZkrEqAxBEcbSpvmtD6gNjGL4rDpLyfYmlt2dmvUe3i1JQiZNYk7ncBv82uR5z6pElW~9vpUHjoJmXI52r9QW1D83ZmqG9UqBERH7BM5LFjvJto77Lw97ummlbMU1bWbhxBR1-PjleUAE7Bs1XdY9e1jJRHW-RfD2OGeW7aVjhrAxlN9sN8Fo~3tMfYVZRkuI6aR5QuBhF28kGejGWy6hUi2baEGHZhwKwI3dT9NMWhZITJDhNEfSJxleOgSmEe0UMO4YePkxw4sNyPauLGhYmKmAh-R2vzTDh7mCQUs9nv5zpukBqf1Up2hPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Academic Officer Danielle Colucci presented the school division’s midyear academic update at the March 4 special meeting.

Colucci highlighted midyear gains in early literacy screening data from the Virginia Literacy Screening System (VLaSS). She said that at the beginning of the school year about 25% of Virginia Beach kindergarteners scored in the system’s high‑risk band; presenters reported a decline in that high‑risk indicator by midyear (the presentation materials described the change as a drop of about 20 percent). Colucci described the screening as a banded risk measure used to identify students who need targeted remediation under the Virginia Literacy Act.

Colucci also described pre‑K screening and said early‑year to midyear comparisons showed growth in foundational literacy skills after the division targeted coaching and interventions. The division has implemented regular progress monitoring and described school‑level supports, instructional coaching and professional learning tied to the screening results.

On growth assessment, Colucci said the division is using the NWEA MAP Growth assessment this year under state guidelines that allow it as an alternative to the Virginia Growth Assessment. She said MAP is being administered in grades 2–9 and in Algebra I; MAP is computer adaptive and the division is using MAP data together with teacher‑created unit assessments and SOLs to identify student needs.

Colucci described classroom‑level MAP reports that show both relative achievement and growth quadrants; teachers use those reports to differentiate instruction. She said the division also combines MAP and locally developed unit assessments to identify course‑level gaps (Colucci used an Algebra I example) and to target tutoring and intervention.

On career and technical education, the division reported that last school year students earned 35 distinct industry credentials and passed 14,330 credential exams in total. Colucci said 8,400 assessments were administered in the fall semester, yielding 6,800 credentials with an 81% fall pass rate. The division added a new U.S. Entrepreneurship certification exam this fall and reported an 86.3% pass rate for that credential in its first administration.

Colucci also noted awards: seven Virginia Beach high schools earned the Virginia Index for Student Ethics (WISE) blue star status for financial‑literacy pass rates, and 24 teachers were recognized as WISE gold‑star teachers for exceptionally high pass rates. Board members asked for follow‑up on specific items, including the set of schools and programs that participated in the entrepreneurship certification and requests for additional term‑to‑term data (for example, fall to spring comparisons) when spring assessments are complete.

Ending: Colucci said the offices in the Department of Teaching and Learning will continue to disaggregate data to support school‑level interventions and will return with additional assessment detail at later meetings.

","Chief Academic Officer Danielle Colucci told the board March 4 that early literacy screening and other midyear measures show progress; the division began using NWEA MAP growth testing in grades 2–9 and reported credential gains in career and technical education.",{"_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},6296946,"School board hears health-plan briefing as benefits fund falls short of target",3732,273000,4005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2512428-909934c10c6ff83f7d61976a2bb09035&start=273&end=4005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2512428-909934c10c6ff83f7d61976a2bb09035/thumbnail_273000.jpg","/articles/6296946/Virginia/School-board-hears-health-plan-briefing-as-benefits-fund-falls-short-of-target","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6296946-bf01b6a1e19bfbf3928f57b9ffd0584b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424423&Signature=HHyTCrWEugTrLk4WrGhgy4JMLE9yRqBGqWNsMAvfaKTL5WWXZUM~-SD4CJkETCgu6Za3vaeZj-khrizTVN4BvtMjHsnW2hOkBGbkJ6Z5j22sKEnpYH3HpdBjn3zXcfSaPZyIVYbT0-U1iMvH64XdvS3wZjWS6dF7CskOb46Q3-7Y2aujw7u3UGk77zjgF2HLoFOTuPdYik~Hp2vU-NfesSSGsXq4BsZ6ghqABaHHw7LHHcZlTLv43XtNKZQGX48lnrRqG0a0vxxZ75wLAbYrC8ytfQAkrCBj06Mged0DbsjKhGPeAsXCauzn97PvmCRApdeDPq6of5Hp81dBMbSHXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Kathleen Brown opened the March 4 special meeting of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools School Board and introduced a consolidated benefits presentation led by Crystal Pate, the division’s chief financial officer, Linda Matkins, director of consolidated benefits, and David Keogh, principal with Mercer, the board’s benefits consultant.

Mercer’s Keogh summarized the district’s two main plan designs and the fund mechanics behind a self‑insured arrangement. “On average it pays about 89% of covered services,” Keogh said of the point‑of‑service option, and he noted the consumer‑directed plan pays about 84% in aggregate. Keogh explained that under the district’s self‑insured model the school system retains year‑end surpluses and absorbs deficits from a dedicated health fund.

Administrators told the board the 2025 projected gross cost for the health plan is about $118,000,000, with employee payroll contributions set to supply roughly $9,400,000 and a capped employer budget of $99,800,000. That projection leaves the system drawing on the health fund; staff estimated the fund balance at the end of the 2025 plan year would be about $11,600,000, roughly 60% of the division’s two‑month reserve target of $19,700,000. Projecting into 2026 under the scenarios presented, the health fund could fall to approximately $4,600,000 if costs continue to run above trend.

Keogh and Matkins offered two employee‑contribution scenarios for calendar year 2026. In the higher scenario the single‑subscriber (employee only) increase would be about $10.41 per pay period (about $208 over 20 paychecks); the lower scenario would require about $4.46 per pay period (about $90 over 20 paychecks). Administrators stressed that those examples change only payroll contributions and do not alter plan design, deductibles or other cost‑sharing provisions unless the board later directs a design change.

Board members pressed staff on details. Ms. Melnick asked whether proposed changes would alter deductibles; David Keogh replied, “No, ma’am. The plan design at this point is not changed. This is just focusing in on the contributions.” Ms. Rogers asked how long the division has been self‑insured; staff said the district transitioned to a self‑funded model in February (year stated in the presentation). Several board members asked for plain‑language explanations of per‑pay impacts; staff said the materials show per‑pay impacts and that Mercer can provide further detail for communication to employees.

Board member James Cummings announced a formal recusal from the benefits discussion. “I’m recusing myself from discussion, tonight,” he said, adding, “I will not participate in these discussions, provide feedback on benefits, or answer questions related to health insurance,” and citing his employment with Sentara Health Plans.

Staff noted current enrollment patterns: roughly 71% of participants choose the point‑of‑service plan and about 63% of enrollees carry single coverage only. Sentara Health Plans serves as plan administrator; Mercer provides actuarial projections and scenario modeling. Administrators also described an active RFP for plan administration and pharmacy benefit management; staff estimated several medical carriers and multiple PBMs had previously participated in competitive processes.

No board action to change contributions or plan design occurred at the meeting. Administrators said any employee premium changes would need to be finalized on a calendar‑year timeline (effective Jan. 1) and said they will return with recommended rates and clearer communications for employees. The board asked for follow‑up details, including sample pay‑period calculations, RFP responses when available and a precise projection of plan‑year impacts under each scenario.

Ending: Administrators said they would return with additional materials in March and May as budget and RFP work progress; the board then moved to its midyear academic update.

","The Virginia Beach City Public Schools board received a detailed briefing March 4 on its self‑insured health plan, which administrators say has drawn down reserves after higher-than-expected claims. Administrators presented two employee-premium increase scenarios to shore up the health fund and discussed a pending RFP for plan administration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews FY 2025–26 compensation options and six‑year CIP; Princess Anne High School funding pushed outside plan

Midyear academic update: elementary literacy screening shows midyear gains, division adopts new growth assessment

School board hears health-plan briefing as benefits fund falls short of target