Suffolk superintendent unveils 2025-26 budget proposal that includes pay raises, SROs in elementary schools and staffing requests
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Gordon presented the proposed 2025–26 budget that maintains a 3% mandated raise, increases starting teacher pay to $56,975, seeks city funding for SROs in all elementary schools, and asks for $7 million from the city to cover priorities and inflationary costs.
Superintendent Dr. Gordon presented Suffolk Public Schools’ proposed 2025–26 operating budget to the school board on Feb. 27, asking the city for $7 million in additional local funding while proposing pay increases, new positions and expanded safety and instructional supports.
The proposal includes a mandated 3% state raise and district adjustments that raise the starting teacher salary to $56,975, additional instructional and support positions (including reading and English language learner teachers), a staffing specialist in human resources, and a districtwide plan to place a school resource officer (SRO) in each of the district’s 11 elementary schools. Dr. Gordon described the SRO addition as a major item and said local law-enforcement partners had indicated they could help staff the positions.
Dr. Gordon told the board the governor’s proposed budget added roughly $3.2 million to the division’s revenues but that much of the grant funding the district previously used — including the "All In" recovery grant — expires June 30 and will not be replaced. "That $3,200,000 covers about 60% of the raise," he said, adding the district must balance mandated investments such as the Virginia Literacy Act, new SOL standards and the new accreditation system against limited state support.
Budget documents presented by Wendy Forsman, finance staff, break the proposed operating budget into state-required program categories and show the district’s total operating fund proposal at about $214.1 million, with salaries and benefits comprising roughly 84% of operating expenditures. Forsman described the budget book structure, explained the executive summary and noted that nonregular-day programs (which include summer school, Saturday Academy and before/after-school tutoring) are now reported in the operating fund.
The superintendent and finance staff said several important items could not be fully funded without local support or restoration of expired grants. Among those deferred or partially funded in the proposed plan were additional ELL teachers (the chief requested seven), expanded virtual tutoring and Saturday programs, a science specialist tied to the district’s STEM plan, and additional custodial and maintenance needs across aging facilities. Forsman said the district typically cannot finalize the amount of year-end fund balance until April or May, and staff will return with budget-transfer requests and line-item clarifications if the board approves equipment or contract actions in advance.
Board members asked for a running, prioritized "unfunded request" list so the board can quickly direct year-end or unexpected funds to high-priority items. Dr. Gordon said staff will provide a process and encouraged board members to submit questions to him or Forsman by the deadlines the administration set for March so staff can respond before joint meetings with the city council. The board did not take a final vote on the 2025–26 budget at the Feb. 27 meeting; staff requested feedback and set dates for follow-up and public engagement.
