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Poquoson amends FY25 budget to fund staff bonuses and presents FY26 pay-plan changes; board approves amendment 6–0
Summary
Finance staff said the state allocated $220,004 for one-time staff bonuses but the district needs an additional $101,724 to fully fund the payments; the board approved a budget amendment and staff outlined a revised FY26 pay plan that narrows the gap to regional averages while preserving bus-driver adjustments.
The Poquoson school board voted 6–0 on May 20 to amend the fiscal‑year 2025 budget to distribute one‑time bonuses and reviewed changes to the proposed FY26 pay plan that reduce the district’s gap with regional salary averages.
Miss Spence, director of finance (presenter), told the board the Commonwealth allocated $220,004 to the district to support a mandatory one‑time $1,000 bonus for SOQ‑funded full‑time staff. Spence said the district needs an additional $101,724 beyond the state allocation to fully cover eligibility rules and said vacancy savings and other surplus revenue will fund the remainder. The board included the budget amendment on the consent agenda and approved it 6–0.
Under the approved bonus plan, full‑time employees and full‑time long‑term substitutes hired before April 1 and on payroll as of June 1 will receive $1,000. Part‑time employees are scheduled to receive $500 and hourly cafeteria workers $250; daily substitutes and certain supplemental hourly roles are not eligible. Spence said the district will distribute the bonus on June 6 and that the amounts will be paid net (the deposit will reflect the full advertised bonus).
On the FY26 operating budget, Spence said the final Commonwealth budget provides an additional $474,637 for the district, primarily from revised support caps and enhanced allocations for English‑learner and special‑education services. The city’s adopted contribution was reported as lower than requested by $868,975; Spence and board discussion focused on offsetting that shortfall. To address the net funding gap, staff reduced the salary implementation portion of the proposed compensation plan by approximately 14% while keeping proposed increases for bus drivers and aides intact. The FY26 budget still includes a 3% across‑the‑board salary increase.
Board members and staff emphasized the change represents a significant step toward regional pay competitiveness. "This is a historical moment in the compensation world," one board speaker said, praising efforts by city council and state funding to improve pay scales. Staff said the amended pay plan still increases most pay steps substantially compared with the current schedule and that supplements and stipends will be reviewed annually as part of next budget cycle work.
The board approved the amended FY25 budget and received the FY26 pay plan for approval as part of the consent agenda; the motion to amend FY25 carried 6–0.
