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