Superintendent: projected roughly $20 million shortfall; board to weigh raises, cuts or fees
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Don Robertson told the board the division faces a projected FY27 funding shortfall (roughly $19–20 million under a 3% salary increase scenario), highlighted expiring state supports (Virginia Literacy Act and Canvas funding ending 06/30/2026), and outlined options including reduced raises, program/position reductions, or possible fees; the board scheduled detailed department presentations in January–February.
Dr. Don Robertson, superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools, told the board at an administrative workshop that the division is beginning the FY27 budget process with a projected shortfall driven primarily by personnel costs and uncertainty at the state and federal levels.
"The largest portion of our budget ... is personnel at roughly 86%," Robertson said, and he presented a range of projected revenues and expenditures that, under current assumptions including a 3% salary increase and existing projections, would create an estimated $19 million–$20 million deficit heading into fiscal year 2027. Robertson said a 1% raise was approximated at about $6.2 million using earlier figures and that updated information from Siegel places a 1% increase closer to $6.6 million; a 3% raise therefore translates to roughly $19.8 million.
Robertson described several budget drivers: expiring state supports, including a two‑year $20 million Virginia Literacy Act grant that ends 06/30/2026 and state funding for the Canvas learning management system also ending 06/30/2026. He said the combined loss of those state-provided supports equates to approximately $10.5 million per year and that any state-mandated assistance for schools identified for targeted support remains unclear. He also highlighted capital-improvement demands and debt-service impacts on operating budgets.
To manage a projected gap, Robertson said the administration is planning an expanded set of department presentations in January and February so departments can show staffing, functions, and the programmatic impact of any reductions. "We have been planning for the worst and hoping for the best," he said, and outlined options including pursuing additional state/federal revenue, reducing services or positions (with risks to supports and morale), lowering salary-increase goals below 3% to reduce required cuts, or exploring fees historically used in the district (textbook or rental fees) as a last option.
Board members asked for detailed information to evaluate tradeoffs: Miss Rogers requested a three‑year list of central-office positions eliminated and current central-office staffing levels; Robertson agreed departments will present position inventories and expected impacts during the scheduled workshops. Board members also expressed concern about the health-fund projection and noted a prior city allocation of $5.8 million intended to rebuild the health fund; Robertson said Mercer will present on health-fund options on Feb. 10.
The board scheduled a sequence of budget workshops (dates noted in the packet) and the superintendent said he will present the superintendent's estimate of needs in late February.
