Manassas superintendent unveils FY‑26 proposed budget centered on pay increases; $1M cut to intervention services

The Manassas City Public Schools superintendent on Feb. 25 presented a balanced FY‑26 proposed operating budget that prioritizes staff compensation while trimming some student support services.

The proposal, presented by Director of Finance Taft Kelly and introduced by Superintendent Dr. Casada Newman, would raise operating revenue about $4.7 million and proposes a minimum 5.5% increase for eligible staff, a new longevity step (step 31) for long‑serving instructional and support employees, and additional strategic investments totaling roughly $212,000. "This year's strategic investments or this year's budget focuses primarily on 2 strategic investments: quality workforce and inclusive and collaborative learning environment," Kelly said during the presentation.

The nut graf: the division is prioritizing pay to make salaries more regionally competitive but balances higher personnel costs with cuts and accounting adjustments; one notable reduction is a proposed $1.0 million cut to contracted intervention services, and the budget lists several unfunded needs that could be added only if additional revenue becomes available.

Budget details and tradeoffs The proposed operating budget package totals about $151 million across operating, grant and debt service funds, the presentation said. State aid is the largest revenue source (about half…