Hampton school board adopts superintendent’s FY25–26 budget, student fees and calendars; cancels April 2 meeting

The Hampton City School Board on March 26 approved the superintendent’s proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and a package of related items, including the recommended student fee schedule and next year’s school calendars, and voted to cancel the board’s scheduled April 2 meeting.

The actions move the superintendent’s proposed budget to the city for review in April and finalize administrative items the board must adopt before the new fiscal year.

Board Chair Dr. Mason opened the meeting and the board unanimously approved the agenda and the consent agenda before taking up action items. Dr. Banks Gray moved adoption of item 4.01, the superintendent’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025–26; Mr. Samuels seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously to approve it. After the vote the chair said, “the superintendent’s budget is now the board’s budget and we will be presenting this board’s budget to city council, during the month of April.”

Superintendent Dr. Haynes summarized key elements of the budget, saying, “This year's budget reflects our shared commitment to investing in the success of our students and staff,” and noting specific provisions that the board will present to the city: a 4% compensation increase for teachers and staff while keeping health care insurance premiums unchanged; adding a dedicated school security officer to each elementary and pre-K building; and allocating additional staffing to support students with disabilities. Dr. Haynes also said the division is awaiting final revenue figures from state and local governments and may bring additional recommendations in April and May.

The board also approved the recommended student fee schedule for fiscal year 2025–26 (item 4.02) and the 2025–26 school calendar and planning calendar for 2026–27 (item 4.03). Ms. Cherry moved approval of the fee schedule; Ms. Afongia seconded. Dr. Banks Gray moved the calendar item; Ms. Cherry seconded. Both motions passed on unanimous voice votes.

Items 4.04 through 4.07 — listed on the agenda as policy revisions and administrative items, including a revision to school board policy JP (all electronic devices), recognition policy AGA and advertising in schools (policy KJ) — were approved as a block after a motion by Ms. Zepanda and a second by Dr. Woodhouse. As part of that block the board formally added and approved item 4.07 to cancel the April 2 meeting; the board chair noted the date was normally not a meeting day and the action amended the annual meeting schedule.

All recorded actions at the meeting passed on unanimous votes of the seven board members present. The superintendent and division staff will present the approved budget to Hampton City Council in April as the next step in the fiscal process.

Other informational items discussed by the superintendent included celebration of teacher recognition events, the upcoming Master Plan 2 Connecting the Dots Community Showcase at Kecoughtan High School on March 29, and ongoing partnership discussions with Christopher Newport University.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval — motion by Mr. Kilgore; second by Dr. Banks Gray; outcome: approved (7–0). - Consent agenda (Personnel report, minutes, etc.) — motion by Mr. Kilgore; second by Mr. Samuels; outcome: approved (7–0). - Add item 4.07 to cancel April 2 meeting — motion by Mr. Kilgore; second not specified on record; outcome: approved (7–0). - 4.01 Superintendent’s proposed FY25–26 budget — motion by Dr. Banks Gray; second by Mr. Samuels; outcome: approved (7–0). - 4.02 FY25–26 recommended student fee schedule — motion by Ms. Cherry; second by Ms. Afongia; outcome: approved (7–0). - 4.03 2025–26 school calendar and 2026–27 planning calendar — motion by Dr. Banks Gray; second by Ms. Cherry; outcome: approved (7–0). - 4.04–4.07 Policy and administrative items block (includes JP, AGA, KJ and cancellation of April 2 meeting) — motion by Ms. Zepanda; second by Dr. Woodhouse; outcome: approved (7–0).

The board’s formal approvals now allow staff to move forward with implementation steps tied to the budget, student fees and calendars. The superintendent said additional recommendations may follow once final revenue figures are received from state and local authorities.

The board adjourned after the evening’s business.