Charlottesville schools ask city for $4.9 million over formula to cover raises, staffing and student supports

Charlottesville City Schools asked the city for $4.9 million above the division’s formula allocation at a joint work session with City Council on Feb. 10, presenting a $124 million operating budget that school leaders said is needed to cover employee pay, staffing and student supports.

The request comes as state and local funding formulas shift: Dr. Gurley said a change in the local composite index means the state now contributes about 22.98% (about 23%) toward Standards of Quality-funded positions, and the division does not expect a rebenchmarking until 2026. “Our net request is, the $4,900,000, which is, over our formula amount, which we appreciate,” Dr. Gurley said during the presentation.

Why it matters: Salary and benefits account for roughly 74% of Charlottesville’s expenditures, the superintendent said, and the budget reflects several negotiated and recommended increases intended to keep pay competitive and retain staff amid rising costs. City staff said they are factoring the school request into their fiscal planning and working to close a remaining budget gap for…