Richmond School Board approves $16.5M budget with teacher raises and planned cuts

Richmond City Public Schools (RPS) is taking significant steps to address chronic absenteeism and improve educational outcomes as it prepares for the upcoming fiscal year. During the RPS School Board Work Session on June 2, 2025, the board discussed a new team approach to managing family liaisons, which has shown promising results in reducing absenteeism rates. The collaborative strategy allows staff to share workloads effectively, ensuring that no single individual is overwhelmed with responsibilities. This method has been credited with maintaining lower absenteeism rates at schools, and the board expressed optimism about continuing this trend into the next academic year.

In addition to addressing absenteeism, the board reviewed the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, which includes a substantial investment of $16.5 million to fully fund collective bargaining agreements. This allocation will provide a 3% salary increase for all teachers and significant raises for various staff categories, including family liaisons and support staff. However, the budget also reflects the reality of financial constraints, with $13.7 million in reductions identified to balance the budget amid anticipated lean years ahead.

The board acknowledged the challenges posed by limited funding sources, particularly as property tax revenues remain constant. This situation necessitates careful planning and advocacy at local, state, and federal levels to secure additional resources for RPS. The board is also preparing for the upcoming negotiations for a new contract with educators, which will require navigating the fiscal realities that may limit future salary increases.

As the board moves forward, it remains committed to enhancing educational support for students, particularly multilingual learners, by adding 55 LEAP teachers to the staff. The recruitment efforts have already filled 42 of these positions, showcasing the district's proactive approach to addressing the unique needs of its diverse student population.

In conclusion, the discussions during the work session highlight RPS's dedication to improving student attendance and educational quality while grappling with financial challenges. The board's focus on collaboration, strategic budgeting, and staff support is expected to yield positive outcomes for the community in the coming school year.