Newport News proposes $406.3 million FY26 budget with 3% pay increase for staff

Newport News Public Schools officials presented a $406.3 million superintendent's proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2026, emphasizing investments in academics, accountability and safety while asking the city for additional recurring and one-time funds.

The proposal, delivered March 4 to the school board, allocates roughly two-thirds of the budget to academics and includes a 3% salary increase for all staff; officials said 87% of the operating budget is earmarked for salaries and benefits. "Dollars 406,300,000 is the total of the superintendent's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026," said Scarlet Mento, chief financial officer.

Why it matters: the budget determines teacher and staff pay, supports programs such as early childhood and dual-enrollment/early-college initiatives, and funds safety measures and technology. The division also faces declining overall enrollment that reduces state basic aid even as some vulnerable student populations grow.

Mento said the FY26 proposal assumes $275.2 million in state revenue based on the governor's proposal and requests $2.4 million in additional recurring local funding to support salaries and benefits. She also outlined $3.1 million in one-time requests to the city for cash capital, an aviation academy pilot-license subsidy and technology replacements.

On program priorities, Superintendent Dr. Mitchell said the budget centers on five focus areas: academics; accountability; safety; communication; and culture and climate. "We will continue to require clear backpacks for all students," Mitchell said when describing safety measures among other steps to promote secure campuses.

Major line items and changes highlighted by staff include: - Academics: roughly $270.2 million allocated to classroom instruction, expanded dual-enrollment/early-college opportunities, magnet and specialty programs, and early childhood initiatives. - Accountability and technology: $90.5 million to support learning infrastructure, 1:1 devices and professional development. - Safety: $8.5 million for security staffing, K‑9 services, weapons-detection systems, cameras and access control. - Total staffing: the proposal shows 3,895.5 full-time equivalent positions, including 2,154.5 instructional FTEs; transportation staffing includes about 317 bus drivers.

To close a projected fiscal gap—Mento described $6.4 million in new revenue against an $18.9 million projected increase in expenditures—the presentation identified cost drivers (raises, retirement, benefits, fuel, insurance, facilities maintenance) and offsetting reductions: elimination of 12.7 teaching positions (projected savings about $1.1 million), reductions in contract services and projected attrition savings of $5.2 million.

Recruitment and retention measures in the plan include a 3% general raise and targeted sign-on bonuses for high-need positions. The CFO said the sign-on bonuses are one-time payments funded in part from vacancy dollars; board members asked whether hired staff tend to stay after receiving bonuses, and district leaders said pay competitiveness and retention programs have helped maintain staffing.

Officials stressed that the proposed budget is based on the governor's proposal and remains subject to state and local changes; next steps set by staff are a public hearing on March 11 and a school board approval vote scheduled for March 18.

The board opened the floor to clarifying questions about dual enrollment (early college), IB and advanced-learning programs, AP testing funding, bus routes and driver supply. Several board members pressed staff on transportation policy and whether route or zone policy changes could lower costs; staff said the district uses advanced route-planning tools and will continue discussions with the city about technology and ongoing replacement schedules.

No formal vote was taken at the March 4 session. The board will hear public comment at the March 11 hearing before deciding whether to adopt the superintendent's proposal on March 18.