[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6220310,"mediaKeyId","3617766-b781b818a00b8aba492a5ddfd200d72b","parentId",3617766,"title","Board approves FY26 operating budget adjustments, CIP and salary increases; one-time $650 bonuses authorized","audioSeconds",2204,"startMs",3582000,"endMs",5786000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617766-b781b818a00b8aba492a5ddfd200d72b&start=3582&end=5786","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617766-b781b818a00b8aba492a5ddfd200d72b/thumbnail_3582000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220310/Virginia/Board-approves-FY26-operating-budget-adjustments-CIP-and-salary-increases-one-time-650-bonuses-authorized","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220310-b78e2e3de6547a166fa8b7efc8a7c8aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770740496&Signature=AlAPkE2prQ8IIA5sWoSUQi1~t-Ow8BXx6UfUTJvR~l0nftDhkdWcHjXCy6UpxDl1c77lo7W9Bp4cEezra3cVCyNn3EDoLx-c72sMW-qwUIg-NwtGJSH3uuZzw0CwivgOW4iPDCMtq5HZ9239MYQEtS~YkkG9oHLYQpCuWPxg1UvBsR7rHVzrKfqq-z0pT87hF2MyHtqt43s3aNLu4f8BbGFfX~hCfWsrkD9wcs74xN41-V8QLIvgAGtBUN16aEXDes24T6G7oPY1apqudMokEWPVjdHUI8GV1ec1phocXY0Jgrv16SvT51jFe2zUFfooT~cBpdluzYw6w8pMqalL-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","VA Beach City Public School","date","2025-05-28T17:59:06Z","article","The Virginia Beach School Board approved a slate of fiscal measures on May 27, including amended operating budget requests, capital program adoption, a salary resolution for fiscal year 2025-26 and one-time bonuses for employees.

Operating budget and appropriations: The board requested an additional appropriation of $2,694,929 from the city of Virginia Beach to reflect additional state funds and special add-ons; the board also requested $1,953,127 from the cell tower fund for completion of a phone system replacement and $162,100 for athletic fund increases tied to approved ticket-price changes. The operating budget amendment cited an additional state allocation of $13,585,069 in the amended state budget; the clerk announced the motion passed 11-0.

Capital Improvement Program: The board adopted the FY26-FY31 CIP, approving a total program of $870,409,239 as presented. The motion passed 10-1.

Salary resolution and bonuses: The board approved the salary resolution (Option 2) that sets instructional entry-level increases at 3% plus a 1.5% step increase (an aggregate effect on the instructional scale of 4.5% where applicable). The unified pay scale changes include a 3% entry increase with 1% step for employees with 0-14 years and 1.5% step for 15+ years as described in the attachments. Funding for the higher option was presented as incorporated in the proposed FY26 operating budget.

The board also approved a one-time bonus resolution, reflecting state guidance, to provide a $650 onetime bonus to all full-time equivalent employees as of June 1, 2025. The communicated state allocation for the bonuses was $6,584,326; the motion passed unanimously.

Presentations and timing: Director of Business Services Daniel Hopkins presented interim financial statements and noted that federal impact aid was about $14,000,000 year-to-date and that direct aid and a state bonus were included in the revised figures. Chief Financial Officer Crystal Pate reviewed the salary resolution details and confirmed the effective date would be July 1, 2025, contingent on board budget approval. Staff told the board payroll and HR were prepared to process the bonuses and scheduled distribution for June 15.

What happens next: Some items (phone system procurement, CIP design and construction work, and salary/step payments) will require staff action to implement; funding appropriations from the city council are required before some expenditures. The board directed staff to proceed and to return with the administrative steps needed to execute these budget decisions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting - 05/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Virginia Beach School Board approved a suite of budget and compensation actions on May 27, including an amended FY26 operating budget request to city council to incorporate additional state funding, adoption of a $870.4 million CIP, approval of a revised salary schedule, and a one-time $650 bonus for full-time employees.","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},6220315,"School board approves tri-campus option 2 to update facilities, avoid zone changes",421,8963000,9384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617766-b781b818a00b8aba492a5ddfd200d72b&start=8963&end=9384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617766-b781b818a00b8aba492a5ddfd200d72b/thumbnail_8963000.jpg","/articles/6220315/Virginia/School-board-approves-tri-campus-option-2-to-update-facilities-avoid-zone-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220315-1e34c906dd3a4d8f1db66cdf7ed8b27c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770740496&Signature=mogUD~0C2rNRCvT1ADcGA7YMew~8NH5z5qsEu3IsLwLRJWHwi~sPToT~ZJtqMnvhWmGfgNse0yai6pq2bzox69OTm6oLCwyG--LIx1hCX05GarhJ-faouyjkti0jIHlEyp2QZH4MYPKu~hTE5x8cGViX35K-BsRUWIoIxM5GeyxBqtwM8lz70VjycSV0L32DJMq5ope5XILt0eXiyhhHL4Zbu12Mr9IY1MHJatA17kJd83rY1Y92nslmOmhwxAjyvkzTL12adbKavkSUbIonBI38xXxNKZDTNpQrNAR5bJXqnJ7Wcy4AoXgtg2XcTn3CqlwXsS81UVQKVztWkA~Jjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Beach School Board voted to approve Option 2 for the tri-campus reconfiguration on May 27, moving forward with a consolidation model intended to update learning environments and avoid broad zone changes.

A motion to approve Option 1 failed (no affirmative votes), after which Board Member Laura Rogers moved for Option 2; that motion carried with 10 ayes and 1 abstention. The board's discussion referenced community input and a prior engagement process where residents favored Option 2.

During the deliberation Board Member Gregory Green, the District 4 representative, thanked the community for their input and noted the unique needs of his district, which includes the division's only Title I middle school. Several public speakers from District 4 said they preferred Option 2 because it emphasized early childhood development, removed the need for zone changes, and prioritized updated facilities for schools such as Betty F. Williams.

Board members said Option 2 provided a path to concentrate resources and deliver updated learning environments. \"The end goal was to make sure that Betty F. Williams students got an updated learning environment, and this accomplishes that,\" a board member said during the debate.

The board did not adopt Option 1, which had been presented as an alternative earlier in the meeting. Members asked staff to proceed with the planning steps associated with Option 2 and to continue community communication during design and implementation phases.

Next steps: Staff will move into planning and design phases for the tri-campus work under Option 2, with subsequent board review required for construction plans and any separate project bids or authorizations.

","The board approved Option 2 for tri-campus reconfiguration (consolidation model) after public input and discussion; the motion to approve Option 1 failed, and Option 2 passed with a 10-0-1 outcome (10 ayes, 1 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},6220319,"Board approves revisions to Compass strategic frameworks amid debate over equity language",1540,6991000,8531000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617766-b781b818a00b8aba492a5ddfd200d72b&start=6991&end=8531","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617766-b781b818a00b8aba492a5ddfd200d72b/thumbnail_6991000.jpg","/articles/6220319/Virginia/Board-approves-revisions-to-Compass-strategic-frameworks-amid-debate-over-equity-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220319-473f267e57b6a35156377a186e8b6309/orig.mp4?Expires=1770740496&Signature=Eiq6oKQdaWGB4-KqZNQ~OXo5bM4BRnP6dNqZ1RG93ebw0LvqAVy-6hGiyDR4jrkxh5Z0~g~SNmHCnHF5OaUDMlF6H~g7-DeDQG0khFfi2PyKLzwG4yDKx5bxTPHUte0KNhETcZdNqRig~mGSutpHpFKNQgTqDnF1oyrRJdFQcqTuHvHWvuRl66OZSQyHP7kqIHwj7i2PXxJgS7sYS7FHIV17WLkfXZGRfCer-yixl83ykQSfFkxpF7m~zv~nIqCPDww1Xkeo7G0ZKLyklBpLgiyXreN4eJGa5Nf2PbGNnjQ4X31MTtNuYs2tFOZ2R2~AoLM3KiGsnJIK27Lp4cvkjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Beach School Board on May 27 approved changes to its Compass strategic frameworks for 2025 and 2030, each on 6-5 votes after extended debate about scope, timing and the removal of explicit equity language.

Board Member Robert Culpepper moved to remove Compass 2025 and make Compass 2030 effective immediately; after procedural discussion the board instead voted first on targeted changes to Compass 2025 and then on Compass 2030. Both measures passed by the same 6-5 margins.

Superintendent Dr. Gregory Robertson explained the practical difference between the two documents and warned that staff would need time to prepare rollout plans. \"There are some things in Compass 2030 that will be new and we'll be ready to implement them in August,\" Robertson told the board, adding that many actions in both frameworks center on educational excellence and would not materially change day-to-day instruction before summer.

Several board members and staff members urged caution about rapid changes less than six weeks before the end of the school year. \"We have 12 school days left,\" a board member said, noting ongoing SOL testing and end-of-year activities. Educator-members warned that switching guiding frameworks mid-year could create confusion for administrators and teachers preparing end-of-year assessments and next-year implementation plans.

Critics of the revisions also cited research and pedagogy, saying references to monitoring multiple sources of data, addressing disparities and maintaining a workforce reflective of student demographics were removed or softened. Board Member Michael Cummings said much of the academic literature supports equity-focused interventions; other members said the edits were intended to align with guidance related to an executive order and to avoid language they argued could be interpreted as policy mandates.

The board's vote came after a lengthy procedural exchange about whether Compass 2025 should be allowed to expire naturally on June 30 or be formally removed now to allow an immediate transition to Compass 2030. Ultimately, the board voted to adopt the presented changes to Compass 2025 and to approve Compass 2030 as presented.

Board members asked staff to prepare implementation and rollout plans for the summer, and several expressed that passage did not mean instant operational change in classrooms. Dr. Robertson said administrators and teaching staff would receive detailed guidance in the summer months in preparation for fall implementation.

","The Virginia Beach School Board approved edits to both Compass 2025 and Compass 2030 by narrow 6-5 votes, removing several explicit references to \"equity\" and replacing some wording; board members and staff debated timing, implementation and potential disruption to classrooms.",{"_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},6220324,"Virginia Beach School Board adopts revised policy 5-4 after months of public comment on DEI",4774,2425000,7199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617766-b781b818a00b8aba492a5ddfd200d72b&start=2425&end=7199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617766-b781b818a00b8aba492a5ddfd200d72b/thumbnail_2425000.jpg","/articles/6220324/Virginia/Virginia-Beach-School-Board-adopts-revised-policy-5-4-after-months-of-public-comment-on-DEI","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220324-9f9ff26934b93195765b28bc325158c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770740496&Signature=O7922~Jn1LxwX5gu4X-c5HKDNG1bXaxeDNKmPt7c7NJBQ0tdIWgB6eEFBLqrtyJugPJyl69rIs34KO8tH52NiIDxKx7F7LUOcKOuTT03D685X7LlPeujyvSvNEnL5ewaoPnpGllCENN4BJqMsQXLv3YAD0EwfyoIM4n69dtCuZ6pwTPCKBp74pJYUp38X5PwCPtEt3gyywPmYrzchjmXzTB8lGtnzFiArF8mgGZL0znjZqAGjq4l6p82~VjN8nByVArRDUxGI9~leOGE1D9Sam5fBQYCQTdA0UHV~ckF0ZlB~BtSRgJ7a~UKYXdXLz1PrgD~djm1jcaRPIE7ZiVWEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Beach School Board voted 6-5 on May 27 to approve revisions to policy 5-4, the division's educational equity policy, after an extended public comment period that centered on whether references to \"diversity,\" \"equity\" and \"inclusion\" should remain in school policy.

Supporters of keeping explicit equity language addressed the board in large numbers, including students and teachers who said removing those terms would strip protections and supports from historically marginalized students. Opponents said the policy as written prioritized ideological training over basic academic priorities.

The debate opened during the board's public comment period. \"DEI provides essential support and resources so all students can thrive, regardless of race, background, identity, gender, or circumstances,\" student speaker Liz Daughtry told the board. Several other students and community members reiterated that message, while others urged removal of the DEI language.

Board members repeatedly referenced a April 8 board resolution and a contested executive order in explaining the revisions. Trustee Regina Rogers moved to send the policy back to the Policy Review Committee to ensure the superintendent or designated administrator had reviewed and signed off on the changes; that motion failed on a 5-6 vote. Rogers also proposed a last-minute amendment to add the sentence \"the school board values the diversity in our students, families, staff, and volunteers.\" That amendment failed 5-6 as well.

The final adoption motion was made by Board Member Robert Culpepper and seconded by Board Member Rose Dwyer. After additional discussion about process and compliance with the board's bylaws, the chair called the vote. The clerk announced, \"We have 6 ayes and 5 nays. The motion did pass for policy 5 dash 4 as presented.\"

The record shows the policy changes were contentious throughout the meeting. Speakers opposing the revisions cited procedural concerns, including Bylaw 1-3-2, which requires an administrator's review and signature before a policy is presented for adoption. Supporters said the policy reflected a commitment to addressing systemic barriers to student learning.

Board members and community voices requested clarity about how the changes will affect staff evaluations, curriculum and future training. In the meeting, union leader Heather Sipe, president of the Virginia Beach Education Association, warned that removing culturally responsive teaching expectations from policy and the strategic framework could put staff evaluation tools and performance expectations out of alignment with the board's stated goals.

The action concludes this round of board-level changes to equity policy; the board did not adopt any substitute language in the meeting beyond the package it voted to approve. Implementation questions and the possibility of legal challenge were raised by members of the public and board members during the discussion.

What happens next: The board adopted the revised policy as its official position; implementation details and any administrative guidance were not adopted in the meeting and will be determined by staff and future board direction.

","After more than an hour of public comment and internal debate, the Virginia Beach School Board voted 6-5 to adopt changes to policy 5-4 (educational equity), a measure critics said removes explicit references to diversity, equity and inclusion. The vote followed failed attempts to return the policy to committee and to amend it.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves FY26 operating budget adjustments, CIP and salary increases; one-time $650 bonuses authorized

School board approves tri-campus option 2 to update facilities, avoid zone changes

Board approves revisions to Compass strategic frameworks amid debate over equity language

Virginia Beach School Board adopts revised policy 5-4 after months of public comment on DEI