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Residents and teachers press Norfolk board for bigger capital budget, technology and early-childcare supports at public hearing
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Summary
At the FY27 budget hearing, parents, teachers and students urged the board to prioritize capital repairs, classroom technology, early literacy and subsidized before/after-care; community advocates also addressed proposed board compensation and urged data-driven decisions (under 350 chars).
Residents, teachers and students spoke at the public hearings on the proposed fiscal-year 2027 budget and a separate hearing on school board compensation, urging immediate investments in facilities, technology, early literacy and child care access.
Kathy O—Hara, a longtime public-school advocate, warned that capital maintenance funding has fallen back after federal COVID-era investments and urged the board to develop and defend a CIP that matches pressing maintenance needs. "A roof replacement for one of your high schools cost more than twice that amount," O—Hara said, asking the board to negotiate that proceeds from closed school properties be allocated to maintenance.
Teachers and community groups represented by Vicky Manugo Greco and the Education Association of Norfolk (represented by Patrick Berry) asked the board to align the budget with board goals such as increasing third-grade reading and raising advanced-diploma rates; Berry urged investments in pay, paraprofessional compensation, mental-health supports and updated classroom technology.
Students gave specific requests: Granby High freshman Zoe St. Andre urged funding for arts, band and theater supplies; Northside Middle—s eighth grader Zaria Wilkerson asked for more Chromebooks in classrooms so electives and core classes have reliable devices.
Speakers at the compensation hearing framed the board-pay question as an equity and recruitment issue. Kate Powell said higher, data-driven compensation can broaden who is able to serve and cited research suggesting underpaid board members can limit representative participation. Other public-comment speakers also pressed for accessible before-and-after-care at Jaycox (an EELC school) through subsidies or expanded EELC funding.
Board members did not vote on budget specifics at the hearing; the session served as public input ahead of formal budget adoption and the board—s April submission to city council.
