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Superintendent proposes $772.9 million FY2026 operating budget, urges 4.5% pay increases
Summary
Norfolk's superintendent presented a $772.9 million FY2026 operating budget that prioritizes employee compensation (4.5% increases and one-time bonuses), continued recruitment stipends previously funded by ESSER, and a $253 million capital-improvement plan; the board will consider approval March 19 and submit to City Council by April 1.
Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent presented the division's proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26, a plan totaling roughly $772.9 million that the administration called "lean" but focused on employee compensation, right‑sizing and maintaining instructional supports.
The proposal, presented by the division's finance team and Superintendent Dr. Birdsong, breaks the total into funds for the general operating budget ($450.2 million), school nutrition ($26.9 million), grants and special programs ($42.8 million) and a capital improvement plan of $253 million. The administration said the largest revenue source would be the state ($263.3 million) followed by the city ($167.8 million), with federal funds and estimated reversion or one‑time funds making up the remainder.
Why it matters: the superintendent told the board that Norfolk Public Schools faces a materially smaller resource base than in prior years because federal ESSER pandemic relief has ended and one-time reversion dollars have dropped. "That funding has ended," she said, noting the division will have about $16.8 million less to work with next year and must shape a disciplined operating plan.
Compensation and staffing: the budget recommends a 4.5% starting‑teacher increase — raising the starting salary to $60,088 — and a 4.5% increase for current teachers that combines a one‑step salary increase and cost‑of‑living adjustment. The superintendent also recommended a one‑time 2.2% bonus for employees who are at the top of their salary scales, and similar step and COLA adjustments for administrators and classified staff. "I propose that there be no increase in health care premiums for staff for fiscal year 2026," the superintendent said, adding that keeping premiums flat ensures employees receive the full benefit of the raises.
Other investments: the proposal keeps several recruitment stipends previously underwritten by ESSER funding (ranging from $250 to $2,000) for roles such as PBIS support, wellness champions and club sponsorships; the administration said those stipends help fill vacancies and close operational gaps. The budget includes funding for 33 additional English‑learner teachers, 14 special‑education positions (including inclusion, visual impairment and autism specialists), five additional high‑school attendance technicians and continued funding for tutoring and SEL supports such as Care Solace and Panorama.
Capital plan and right‑sizing: the $253 million CIP includes a proposed rebuild of Morey High School, bus replacements, HVAC and major systems work. The superintendent repeated that the division must "right size" its portfolio in response to long‑term enrollment declines and said a facilities planning committee will guide a deliberate, public process for any closures, consolidations or rebuilds.
Next steps: the administration recommended the board set a public hearing March 5, consider approval March 19, and submit the approved operating budget to City Council by April 1 for appropriation. The board asked for additional time to review materials and accepted offers from administration for follow‑up workshops and small group meetings with the budget team.
Reporting note: amounts and program counts—salaries, fund totals, staff positions and the CIP figure—are taken from the presentation slides and speakers' remarks at the meeting; if an item was described only generically in the presentation, this article notes the description rather than inferring additional detail.
