Charlottesville schools ask city for $2.9M to fund 10.5% raise for support staff; council weighs $2M

Superintendent Dr. Gurley told a joint Charlottesville City School Board and City Council work session that the school division and the Charlottesville Education Association have a tentative agreement that, if ratified, would provide a 10.5% raise for support professionals. He said the bargaining unit will vote on the contract before the board considers its budget on Feb. 19 and that the school board is asking the city to fund an overall request of about $2.9 million to cover collective-bargaining costs and other priorities.

The request follows a presentation in which Dr. Gurley outlined state funding constraints, including the Local Composite Index (LCI). He said Charlottesville’s LCI fell from 77.02% to 76.66%, and combined with a slight enrollment decline the division will receive less state aid. Dr. Gurley described personnel and…