Norfolk Public Schools presents lean FY 2025–26 operating budget; proposes raises, staff additions and $253M in capital projects

Superintendent Dr. Birdsong and Chief Finance Officer Miss Fivy presented Norfolk Public Schools’ proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 at a school board meeting; the division set a public hearing for March 5 and recommended board approval on March 19 before submission to Norfolk City Council by the April 1 statutory deadline.

The proposal, described during the presentation as a disciplined and “lean” plan built on the division’s strategic priorities, ties the budget’s constraints to falling enrollment and the end of federal pandemic relief funds. "That funding has ended," Dr. Birdsong said, and the division expects to have about $16,800,000 less to work with next fiscal year. CFO Miss Fivy reported a multi-fund operating budget that the presenters described on slides: a general fund of about $450,200,000, a school nutrition fund near $26,900,000, grants and special programs around $42,800,000, and a capital improvement proposed budget of $253,000,000.

Why it matters: salaries and benefits make up the largest share of the operating budget, so shifts in revenue primarily affect program and capital spending. The administration framed the plan to protect employee pay increases and to target remaining funds at high‑priority instructional and safety needs while beginning a citywide facilities planning effort to right‑size the division.

Key revenue, priorities and schedule State aid was shown as the largest revenue source on the slides at about $263,300,000, followed by the city contribution at $167,800,000, federal funds at about $5,400,000, an estimated $10,000,000 in reversion funds from FY24, and nearly $3,700,000 in other local revenue. Miss Fivy reviewed the required timeline: a public hearing (March 5), recommended board approval (March 19), statutory transmittal to Norfolk City Council by April 1, and an expected city appropriation in May, with the board to address any differences afterward.

Compensation and staffing proposals The administration proposed a 4.5% salary increase for starting teachers (presented as moving the starting teacher salary from $57,500 to $60,088) and a 4.5% increase for current teachers that includes a one‑step increase plus a cost‑of‑living adjustment. Employees at the top of their salary scales were recommended to receive a one‑time 2.2% bonus. Administrative staff and classified employees were proposed to receive parallel adjustments: classified starting pay was shown increasing from $15.05 to $15.72 per hour and current classified employees were also included in a 4.5% increase plus a one‑time 2.2% bonus for top‑of‑scale employees. The presenters said there would be no increase in employee health‑care premiums for FY26, allowing staff to keep the full value of proposed increases.

The proposal ties nearly all of the general fund to personnel: Miss Fivy said salaries and benefits comprise 81.2% of the proposed operating budget, with 18.8% for all other costs.

Instructional and program investments The proposal includes funding for targeted instructional and student supports rather than large new programs. Notable items presented: - 33 additional English‑learner teachers to respond to a reported increase in English learners (presenters cited a rise from roughly 1,108 to 1,903 English learners). - 14 additional special education teachers, described as nine inclusion teachers, two teachers for post‑graduates, one teacher for students with visual impairments and one for students with autism. - Five attendance technicians to provide daily attendance support at each high school. - Conversion of a part‑time reading specialist at Northside Middle School to a full position to meet the Virginia Literacy Act expectation for a full‑time reading specialist. - Continued funding for tutoring programs and social‑emotional supports (CareSolace and Panorama) and retention of stipends (previously under ESSER funding) for PBIS support, wellness champions, club sponsorships, grounds patrol and class coverage (presenters estimated this set of stipends at about $2,800,000).

Pilot and targeted programs The presentation proposed funding year three of the Lindenwood Elementary pilot program (presenters reported improved teacher retention and full accreditation for the school after 17 years) and recommended extending the Equity and Excellence Learning Center (EELC) model to Southside STEM Academy at Campus Stella at an estimated overall cost of $434,150. Leadership‑mentoring for new principals and a small pool for contracted specialized legal services were also proposed.

Capital Improvement Program Miss Fivy said the FY26 CIP totals $253,000,000, with roughly $231,000,000 shown for a proposed Morey High School rebuild and the remainder for deferred maintenance projects, bus replacements and system upgrades (HVAC, roofs, restroom and electrical upgrades, Camp Young pool replacement). A separate facilities condition assessment (HBA) was referenced; speakers said updated Facility Condition Index (FCI) work would be provided in a forthcoming brief.

Enrollment and right‑sizing Presenters repeatedly cited a multi‑decade decline in enrollment as a major constraint. They described a long‑range facilities planning effort, a committee to produce recommendations and a proposed $130,000 set‑aside (listed in the presentation) to underwrite educational and facilities planning plus communications and community engagement. The administration emphasized that closure and consolidation recommendations would follow committee work and community engagement and said no specific closures were being proposed at the presentation.

Numbers to note (from slides and remarks) - General fund (slide): $450,200,000 - Total proposed operating budget (slide): $772,000,000 (presentation displayed this figure; a later oral remark by the superintendent included a larger inconsistent number; presenters also emphasized the general fund and CIP values above) - CIP proposed: $253,000,000 (roughly $231,000,000 for Morey High rebuild) - Starting teacher salary proposed: $60,088 (presented as the starting salary under the 4.5% proposal) - Total ESSER/ARPA funding to the division over three years cited: $176,600,000

What presenters and board members said next Board members thanked staff, asked for follow‑up briefings and requested targeted workshops and 2‑by‑2 sessions with the budget team. The administration offered additional meetings and said the staff and consultants would provide more detailed material ahead of the March 19 recommendation.

Ending (next steps) Presenters restated the schedule: public hearing on March 5, board action recommended March 19, transmittal to Norfolk City Council by April 1 and expected council appropriation in May. The board signaled interest in follow‑up workshops and additional committee or 2‑by‑2 meetings with the budget team to address detailed member questions.