Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget And Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Manassas City School Board hears FY26 budget update; approves employee bonuses and amends parking fine policy
Summary
The board reviewed the FY26 budget update, accepted additional city funding intended largely for employee compensation, approved a FY25 supplemental bonus plan paid June 30, and amended the student/building-fee policy to require a warning before a $20 parking fine.
Manassas City School Board members received an FY26 budget update Tuesday that incorporated the state’s finalized funding tool and an additional $1.5 million included in the city’s FY26 budget, and the board approved steps to use those funds largely to boost employee compensation.
Dr. Jennifer Casada, executive director of accountability and finance, and Director of Finance Taft Kelly told the board the Virginia Department of Education’s final calculation tool did not reduce previously projected state funding and that the city council also approved an increased contribution for the coming year. The staff proposal allocates additional local and state funding primarily to employee compensation, moving the district’s total proposed compensation increase for FY26 to about 6.7 percent over FY25 if the board accepts the proposed allocations.
The board approved a supplemental plan using local funds to top up a one‑time FY25 bonus pot provided by the state. Mr. Kelly said the state allocated $781,119 for FY25 bonuses, and the district will combine that with local dollars so eligible employees receive one‑time payments on June 30. Under the approved plan, full‑time employees who completed a FY25 contract will receive a one‑time bonus up to $1,000; part‑time employees and eligible substitutes or temporary staff will receive scaled amounts up to $500 depending on hours worked and start date. The motion to use local funds to supplement the VDOE amount passed unanimously 7–0.
The board also considered the 2025–26 student fees, building use fees and fee‑waiver guidelines. A motion to approve the fee schedule was amended during the meeting to add a requirement that a warning be issued before a $20 parking fine is assessed. The amended motion passed (voice/show-of-hands recorded; two board members were recorded as opposed). Chair Seberg called for a show of hands; the record indicates opposing votes by Vice Chair Spall and Chair Seberg and the amendment was adopted with the change in place for the 2025–26 fee schedule.
Earlier, the board approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda by roll call votes of 7–0.
Board members and staff said the additional funding and the FY25 bonuses are intended to support retention and compensation, and staff indicated updated salary schedules and employment contracts would follow the board’s acceptance of the proposal. Mr. Kelly said the FY25 bonuses will be a separate payment on June 30, and staff will notify employees of eligibility and payout criteria.
