Hampton City Schools present $358 million FY2026 budget, propose 4% pay increase and added school security

Hampton — Hampton City Schools officials on Thursday presented a board‑approved fiscal year 2026 budget to the Hampton City Council work session that would total about $358,000,000 across all funds and would include a 4% compensation increase for all teachers and staff.

The proposal, presented by Chair Mason, Superintendent Dr. Raymond Haynes and Chief Financial Officer Bernadette Branch, would keep employee health care premiums unchanged while adding the equivalent of 56.7 positions—including 19 school security officers for elementary and pre‑K buildings, 15 special‑education staff, six Academy of Hampton coaches and other instructional and non‑instructional roles.

The board emphasized the budget’s priorities as competitive compensation, school security, and tutoring/remediation. “We are proud to present you not only a balanced budget, but 1 that aligns with the school division's mission and priorities and feedback from our community,” Chair Mason said.

CFO Bernadette Branch presented the revenue mix and major expenditures, saying the school operating fund (Fund 50) is projected at roughly $307,000,000 for FY2026 and that the school division’s total budget across all funds is projected at $358,000,000. The division’s largest revenue source is state funding — projected at about $200,300,000 and based on the governor’s amendments to the 2024–26 biennial state budget — followed by estimated local support of approximately $99,000,000 (subject to City Council approval).

Branch described the state’s local composite index (LCI) used in the standards‑of‑quality funding formula and said the division projects a March 31 average daily membership of 18,353 for 2026. Branch said instructional spending accounts for about 68% of Fund 50 and that salaries and fringe benefits make up roughly 80% of the budget.

Compensation and staffing highlights: - A division‑wide 4% compensation increase for teachers and staff, effective July 1, 2025; Branch estimated the cost at about $8,400,000. - A recommended additional investment of $2,000,000 targeted at teacher salaries to raise starting pay; Branch said a new teacher with zero years’ experience would have a starting salary of $56,750 under the proposal. - Maintenance of a 30‑step teacher salary scale and targeted wage adjustments for trades and co‑curricular supplements (Branch said the co‑curricular supplement pool increases by about $242,000). - Net addition of 56.7 positions (detailed position list available on the Hampton City Schools budget information page).

Capital and program highlights included completion or renovation plans for media centers division‑wide and middle‑school science classrooms by the beginning of the 2025–26 school year, renovated running tracks, upgraded school marquees, and the renovation of Bastet Elementary School. Recent projects already completed include a new transportation facility on Aluminum Avenue, a new science wing at Kecoughtan High School, renovated Cooper Elementary School, and improvements to school auditoriums and athletic facilities.

Branch said some special and one‑time federal pandemic funds have ended (reducing related federal revenue), and that certain one‑time savings of about $14,700,000 were repurposed inside the budget to fund new initiatives.

Superintendent Dr. Raymond Haynes told council the budget presentation reflects the board’s priorities and community feedback and that the division is “still awaiting a final budget from Richmond.” He added the division will monitor final state actions and return to the school board and city council if additional revenue or adjustments are needed.

Council members asked questions about enrollment trends, health‑care premium stability and indirect cost recoveries. Vice Mayor Brown praised the division’s stewardship and asked how the division maintained no health‑care premium increases while funding raises; Branch said the division transitioned to a self‑insured program and negotiated multiyear contracts with a third‑party consultant that produced savings.

The presentation was informational to the council; the school board has already approved the budget and the city council will later consider its own appropriation and the local funding contribution that supports Fund 50. No council vote on the school budget was taken during the session.

The school team requested council review and reminded members that the final local support amount is “estimated” and contingent on council action and any changes from the state budget process.

Ending: School staff said next steps are continued monitoring of the state budget process and follow‑up presentations as final state figures and the city’s local contribution are determined.