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Virginia Beach reports fewer classroom vacancies at start of 2025–26 but special-education gaps remain
Summary
District HR reported a decline in classroom vacancies on the first day of school (14 full-time classroom vacancies, 11 fewer than last year) and a 61% decrease in vacancies over three years; special-education vacancies persisted and operational positions such as bus assistants remain understaffed.
District leaders told the school board on Sept. 23 that staffing improved for the 2025–26 school year but that targeted staffing needs remain.
Darnita Chapman and Dr. James Avila presented a school-based staffing update (as of Aug. 25) reporting 57 full-time instructional vacancies during the summer that dropped to 14 full-time classroom vacancies at opening — 11 fewer than the prior year and a 61% decrease over three years. Chapman said all full-time instructional vacancies were covered by long-term substitutes or certified staff awaiting placement, and noted special education remains a critical staffing need with 13 special-education positions unfilled on opening day.
Operational vacancies included 29 custodial positions (no change year over year), a net decrease in food-service vacancies (34 fewer cafeteria assistants compared with the prior year), seven bus-driver vacancies and 32 bus-assistant vacancies (three fewer than the 2024–25 first day). Chapman described a tuition-free program for children of full-time employees as a recruitment tool and said staff will continue hiring events and a planned hiring expo to address remaining gaps.
Board members asked staff to provide follow-up memos breaking out vacancies by Title I school status, by special-education vs. non-special-education noninstructional roles, and to confirm contingencies if the tuition-free program must change; staff committed to provide the requested detail in a memo.
