[{"_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",6215612,"mediaKeyId","3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132","parentId",3656822,"title","Office of Head Start reduces RPS grant by $1.1 million over under-enrollment; district prepares appeal","audioSeconds",457,"startMs",7284000,"endMs",7741000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132&start=7284&end=7741","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132/thumbnail_7284000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6215612/Virginia/Office-of-Head-Start-reduces-RPS-grant-by-11-million-over-under-enrollment-district-prepares-appeal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215612-cdc1887257b3cc41ddf5bfd2d845feae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173217&Signature=UMN6MvFU5B-P4XTYn0H-nreIV5uhN7ty~H85KhYNLWpZiNSDWkwAkrQEQK9Bv~c0WpXlCkh9ckgwjM~XAL-B6JIOd7mqwzDSPej8faxq8mutTF2i7Za69vhE2Oa966s~CDI7QrYBhBry64Qmj9AavdzE83oDBkIxFBeEa1EPxmbLU5c~jjhPOt-TWilw6JB6BR8tFe-JfcswjGKJFnPPxAQNQZ-e-iZreyRixLzYLD7lyWrE0jhvBazqp3cvdJnjULQYg8QrPk86vTAZnu0cHABI9QYPWD1ECCOfBzNOC1OOS3iesf5jN-CnOVTV-R0o9dmOYPsHRJ2qrEUdGVBOdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City Public School","date","2025-06-04T17:16:09.11Z","article","Richmond Public Schools' Head Start director and policy council representatives told the school board that the Office of Head Start has reduced the district's grant by $1,100,000 because the program was underenrolled.

A presenter said the reduction followed federal review of enrollment and attendance; the Office of Head Start requires programs to maintain near-full enrollment and 97% daily attendance. The presenter told the board the program is currently underenrolled and that the Office of Head Start has moved the division's previously requested slot reduction from 200 to 101 in its communications.

The district said it has 30 days to file an appeal of the $1,100,000 removal; staff are preparing an appeal and will revise a refunding application to reflect the federal office's current slot number. The policy council is meeting to discuss options, including whether to accept the lower slot count or continue seeking the larger reduction originally proposed by the district.

Why it matters: A reduction of this size would reduce services and funding available to enrolled families and affect the Head Start budget and programming for the coming year. Speakers said the program must also improve daily attendance and preserve a waiting list to retain funding eligibility.

What the board did: The board accepted the Head Start report and quality-improvement plan as presented. Members asked for additional updates; one board member suggested joint governance training so the policy council and school board can better coordinate decisions.

Next steps: District staff said they will submit an appeal to the Office of Head Start, revise the refunding application to match the federal office's numbers and pursue strategies to boost enrollment and attendance before the July 1 deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RPS School Board Meeting - June 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Richmond's Head Start program was told the Office of Head Start will deduct $1.1 million from the division's grant because of under-enrollment and attendance shortfalls; district officials said they are preparing a 30-day appeal.","taxTitle","RICHMOND CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14515,"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},6215620,"Unions, clergy and community demand reinstatement for five Richmond bus drivers after April dismissals",858,2613000,3471000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132&start=2613&end=3471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132/thumbnail_2613000.jpg","/articles/6215620/Virginia/Unions-clergy-and-community-demand-reinstatement-for-five-Richmond-bus-drivers-after-April-dismissals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215620-4b81150f7c1730d0225c06b2aa6850ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173217&Signature=hGlNRGT0vA8j5P0gK1gsH0PdsOO0Hq1kD7SpGhCb4FCTS3sHk7f~ScPsDCoNK9n66G64oqubLgPzojg~nEO6QtYaW3yvech3WzGZSIQwW1AxJamIAkH7B~kqZTdsyyuOHm1AXAMEsu~R~WYfWm6xwIeA0TBMNFww2zHpHS6G844gEc1r3iNuVUxTVSVlf2Cc3lzZlOWJvxPLzRV~E5JoJtTtEuG5-Pi61QGa9VQvaKXb5gpf9uS~JWENte-l7~R5GfWDDlJyxbjEoa1q30B-a6cbvutgJMyo-pCTxn373C-SZA~zvBZXrkNmE8mScvpL90OEvX-Woo4zAXbXdunIPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Labor leaders, faith groups and several drivers spoke during public comment to call for the reinstatement of five Richmond school bus drivers who were terminated in April.

Brian Petruska, general counsel for the Lyuna Mid-Atlantic Regional Organizing Coalition speaking on behalf of Laborers Local 804, said, \"An injustice has been done to the RPS 5, and it needs to be corrected. The school board's policy guarantees them an opportunity to respond to allegations of misconduct. This board's policy guarantees them a right to an appeal.\" He asked the board to follow its policies and hear the drivers'side.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference and other clergy joined the calls. A speaker representing the SCLC said, \"If Dr. King were here today, he'd be standing right here with these people asking that you reinstate them.\" Drivers and union representatives said the district has not completed grievance timelines and that some drivers have not received due process or timely hearings; speakers said the dismissals have caused hardship.

Specific claims from drivers included allegations that some were wrongly accused of participating in a work stoppage and did not receive the required investigatory process before termination. One driver said he had been a district floater and had not been assigned activity routes and therefore could not have participated in the alleged coordinated action.

Why it matters: The dismissals intersect with labor and due-process questions and come as the district plans summer transportation hiring and operations. Union representatives warned that if drivers leave for neighboring jurisdictions the district could face shortages.

What the board did: No formal reinstatement or personnel action was taken during the public comment period. Speakers asked the board to follow its own appeal procedures and to meet the drivers so the full facts are presented.

What was requested: Union counsel asked that the board allow the drivers to present facts under the board's policy guaranteeing an appeal and urged the board to pursue a fair process to reach a just outcome.

Next steps: Community and union leaders said they are prepared to pursue further action if the board does not act; they also urged the board to complete grievance and appeal steps defined in district policy rather than leave matters unresolved.","Union and community leaders called on the Richmond Public Schools board to reinstate five bus drivers fired in April, arguing the drivers were denied due process and that the district has not followed grievance timelines.",{"_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},6215625,"Richmond school board adopts $429.6 million FY2026 operating budget; library materials line cut in half",110,3187000,3297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132&start=3187&end=3297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132/thumbnail_3187000.jpg","/articles/6215625/Virginia/Richmond-school-board-adopts-4296-million-FY2026-operating-budget-library-materials-line-cut-in-half","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215625-eb3d4d2011e114819510b8d52f4492cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173217&Signature=dn4ZH4S99H7-Y5UfG-ot7je4LVGYBV6KEc1m-uztGX99yghuc7FrRFr5kM00PPvgDBAO2rpaL~PVfNq7CnVYpbi5YipVlyRlomkBSJ0-2hFqqIZqkv8dUE-ElB6MrEViOV8Mkjjbk-F98IkuL3TAFNqvfBdVHx5p0uYQIet-bA197mha0lMJzHO2uuckGd6fDGThNx8tBHwZzsZGAia6TmDvVWqGrfZDUgYlqF4rZT3Dw76ZFlPvNMOU4xbPfEtQqY0ydgBG3xp4brAVWWjW3~yPS6M~-7blOK6NVJ273kYGg~sutTngqa~6tc0O6-PPYUKzTr0ZyJYJg1jWFelWtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond Public Schools School Board voted to adopt the division's fiscal year 2026 budgets during its June meeting, approving $429,603,243 for the general fund, $94,529,055 for special revenue and $2,500,000 for the capital improvement plan.

Superintendent Kamras, presenting the revised budget, told the board, \"I humbly ask for your approval.\" The vote was unanimous.

The board-approved package reflects changes the administration said were necessary to balance the plan after the board's requests at its prior meeting. Superintendent Kamras said the junior auditor position requested by the board was restored; to offset that cost the administration recommended eliminating a $100,000 consultant contract and reducing the amount budgeted for a new FOIA platform.

Why it matters: The budget sets staff and materials levels for classrooms and central offices next year. Several speakers at the meeting raised concerns about where cuts landed; library staff told the board the proposed line-item reductions would reduce book purchases and periodicals by about 50 percent, leaving the libraries'books-and-periodicals line $60,000 below its 2018 funding level even though the district now operates additional preschool libraries.

Board member Doctor Harris Mohammed asked for clarity about the library cut and whether schools or library staff were notified. Kamras responded that the cut affects materials (books/supplies) rather than personnel and pledged to \"try my very best to find an alternative mechanism to make up for that funding and provide those resources to our students.\"

Other reactions and context: The Richmond Education Association's president, Anne Forrester, highlighted apparent inconsistencies in staffing decisions and the administration's explanations for personnel actions during public comment. Forrester said the division's staffing changes include both reductions at some school levels and a 16% increase in central office positions, and warned of impacts to special education coverage if positions are eliminated.

What the board did: The motion to adopt the budgets was made by board member Percival and seconded; roll-call votes recorded all members as voting yes. The board also approved a separate administrative update that retains the junior auditor position and directs the administration to pursue the FOIA-platform savings and consultant reduction that were used to balance the books.

What this does not show: The board and administration said more work remains to find alternative funding for affected programs and to monitor implementation. The budget passage itself does not change contractual obligations or actions that must be negotiated through collective bargaining processes.

Looking ahead: Board members and staff said they will continue to seek alternative funding sources and pledged follow-up briefings to the board on specific program lines if outside revenue or reallocation options materialize.","The Richmond Public Schools School Board voted to adopt the division's fiscal year 2026 budgets, approving $429,603,243 for the general fund while agreeing to program reductions, including a 50% cut to the libraries'books-and-periodicals line.",{"_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},6215616,"Armstrong High families, staff and board members object to sudden teacher reassignments",603,2334000,2937000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132&start=2334&end=2937","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132/thumbnail_2334000.jpg","/articles/6215616/Virginia/Armstrong-High-families-staff-and-board-members-object-to-sudden-teacher-reassignments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215616-3def52086eff22f51665d099da25517b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173217&Signature=SsMNnAkWnpMdg1j~dohBU6XVJ0Ts8JwY-JcrDsfnyXHawdsEJHc88jWXT5Fse4m2CKc~-JTtbshQKufR73zYPyn2LazK8hjvu5KQZ16WUgzlm6HkfygatNl8BndbPsCaDZzP~ugXIJJj1ZDI0YZPsdISon2xrpsg-irnPXqIqsn5erTOG65aFb3oZ-K~l2dcJ-C3IM6nuofaVst7z7eYS0t3TcyKbGGiCIhGqUOOFiB6TdsBy8l0H1Luv5haj164fQnPL3HXdfUcag5aKH6ppWzbWr~FPapFrhT8j5D0bw5O1DVpBlwkfbJMlF-mIGtMj9Tnrw8cWft6jAQ9yGpEZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff and community members from Armstrong High School and other speakers pressed the board about a recent series of teacher reassignments they described as abrupt and disruptive.

Multiple speakers said teachers at Armstrong received transfer or leveling letters on the last day of school; Tamika Quinn, the school's instructional compliance coordinator, said, \"This decision threatens the very core of what we've built at Armstrong High School and will have devastating consequences for our students, especially those living in housing projects who depend on consistency, stability in their learning environments.\" Quinn told the board that special-education caseloads and co-taught sections will be affected and that progress on accountability benchmarks could be undermined.

Other speakers reinforced that message. Special-education and department leaders described the school's progress in math, English and science and warned that moving multiple teachers will force class consolidations, reduce AP offerings, and increase caseloads for remaining staff. One parent and staff member said the moves remove \"coaches, mentors, club advisors, favorite teachers, confidantes, and sometimes substitute parents.\"

Board reaction and process questions: Board members said the assignment process and communication to principals and board representatives required review. Doctor Harris Mohammed asked to add the topic to closed session to review personnel matters; the board later moved into closed session citing Virginia Code 2.2-3711 provisions for discussing personnel assignments and discipline.

Clarifying details from speakers: Commenters said \"11 total persons\" were being moved from Armstrong and that other special education positions had already been eliminated earlier in the year. Speakers asked for principals'input into moves and asked the board to reconsider timing and process to preserve student stability.

What the board did: The board did not reverse assignments at the meeting. Board leadership said it would discuss personnel matters in closed session and add the topic to a future open-agenda briefing to explain the rationale and process used for leveling and transfers.

Next steps: Board members asked administration to present details of the leveling process and to brief the board publicly on the staffing and assignment rationale and timelines so parents and staff can better understand next steps.","Parents, students and Armstrong High School staff criticized the district's spring reassignments after teachers received transfer notices late in the school year. Speakers said up to 11 staff members were moved, including special-education teachers, and warned the changes will disrupt co-teaching, AP offerings and established community supports.",{"_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},6215607,"Parents urge Richmond board to act after alleged special-education incidents and slow investigations",2598,2355000,4953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132&start=2355&end=4953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656822-d93e63f59246505c3ae52c63bd5e5132/thumbnail_2355000.jpg","/articles/6215607/Virginia/Parents-urge-Richmond-board-to-act-after-alleged-special-education-incidents-and-slow-investigations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215607-f32640b695ce0af4d51f0f198507d404/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173217&Signature=XWNW1TeqW7Tj7wrKFtg~t8no9mLAUIXki~RXuCUsqMncqil8SFZ~wfSviwdxjmExqU38FLE4F~c5memtmTo7oIZcJKzz7NSg-eFJHvTi0DitZbKbDbPZnzGBrWejwsRjqdyYW1lk-44BgSrSvTL2ytiPCs4~3aHWcsT1yFC1hAVgJZXgFoJawATEh69fjJtFeUVjLhbbuFpVANWkZpOE7C~19Wl1OnUMh8RhnSorCVoJi9a7Ae2GPMZvS-Zj~42F9NlAhDAdBK79bCqVBmtbIXheeJ2ihUGplCtBa~NSSwiY9prb5lw7JSAuiwyUKYZXb1qybnA0EUtpjU55jwlJ~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents and staff used the public-information period to report incidents involving students with disabilities and to criticize the district's investigative and response timelines.

One parent said her autistic child had been assaulted multiple times while at school, describing incidents in which staff allegedly did not respond when called. She said her child was hospitalized for suicidal ideation and that she received a response from central office only after an investigation had begun. \"All this and more has happened to my autistic child under RPS care,\" the parent said during public comment.

Separately, an Overby Shepherd staff member, Tasha Archer, said a teacher she had reported for alleged abuse and neglect had been escorted off campus April 25 but was back teaching by April 30. Archer said she waited 14 days for a response to her complaint and that parents had not been notified when the teacher was under investigation. \"Why were the parents not notified when Miss Crawley was under investigation concerning the abuse and neglect of the children?\" Archer asked the board.

Speakers requested clearer timelines, better communication with families, and more mental-health support for teachers who must handle traumatic incidents. Board members acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and said personnel and discipline items would be considered in closed session per statute; they also asked administration to follow up.

What the board did: The board moved to closed session to discuss personnel and discipline matters under Virginia Code exemptions; members also said they would add some items for future public briefings and asked administration to coordinate follow-up with complainants.

Next steps: Complainants and advocates asked the board to provide transparent timelines and to ensure investigations that concern safety or alleged abuse are escalated promptly. The board directed staff to follow the complaint process and to provide updates to the board and, where appropriate, to complainants.","Multiple parents and staff raised safety and special-education concerns during public comment, including allegations of assault on a nonverbal child, inconsistent communication about investigations and requests for more mental-health support for teachers. Complainants said an Overby Shepherd teacher was escorted off campus but returned to the","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Office of Head Start reduces RPS grant by $1.1 million over under-enrollment; district prepares appeal

Unions, clergy and community demand reinstatement for five Richmond bus drivers after April dismissals

Richmond school board adopts $429.6 million FY2026 operating budget; library materials line cut in half

Armstrong High families, staff and board members object to sudden teacher reassignments

Parents urge Richmond board to act after alleged special-education incidents and slow investigations