Hampton superintendent recommends 3% pay increase and shifts grant-funded positions in $369M budget

Superintendent Dr. Haynes on March 4 presented the Hampton City Schools recommended fiscal year 2026—27 budget to the school board, proposing a divisionwide spending plan based on the governor's introduced state budget and aligned with board priorities to attract, develop and retain staff, maximize student learning, and maintain safe, nurturing schools.

The recommendation projects total revenue of more than $369,000,000 across six funds, with the operating Fund 50 representing roughly 88% of expenditures. Branching into specifics, Chief Financial Officer Britney Branch told the board the division expects about $218,000,000 in state funding, $99,000,000 in local contribution and a projected average daily membership (ADM) of 18,432 — an increase of about 79 students from the previous year.

"The budget is not just a series of numbers. It actually represents our commitment to our students, teachers, staff, and, of course, the broader community," Dr. Haynes said as he introduced the recommendation.

Key elements of the proposal include a recommended 3% compensation increase for employees (1% higher than the governor's proposed 2%), which Branch said would cost Fund 50 approximately $6.4 million. Branch described the division's approach as using a mix of new state estimates, repurposed one-time savings and projected retirement-contribution adjustments to make the raise sustainable.

"When we are developing the budget ... we're able to repurpose some local dollars in order to provide that additional percentage increase for our employees," Branch said when asked how the district could afford an increase above the governor's proposal.

The recommended budget also addresses expiring grant programs by moving several positions into the operating fund so services continue without interruption. Branch listed proposed transfers of eight school security officers, four reading specialists, eight positions tied to the flex learning program and a restorative-practices coordinator from grant Fund 60 into Fund 50. The plan also recommends adding specific positions where growth or facilities changes require them, including an additional security officer for Bethel High School's new science wing and additional dual-language emerging teachers.

Branch highlighted investments in career and technical pathways, recommending more than $300,000 for welding and electrical programs through Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC), and flagged an ongoing commitment to special education: the budget would invest more than $40,000,000 in special education services and allocate $150,000 for programs supporting high school students with disabilities.

Board members asked detailed follow-up questions. When Miss Cherry pressed on the impact of an employer health-care cost increase projected at 7.5%, Branch said the division is proposing to absorb the full rise so that employees see the net effect of the recommended raise rather than having increased premiums reduce take-home pay.

Two public hearings on the proposed FY2027 budget were scheduled for March 11 and March 18 at Jones Magnet Middle School, with a final board vote currently set for March 25. Dr. Haynes said the division will update the budget recommendation if the final state budget or the city's local contribution differ from current projections.

The board packet and a digital budget book were made available to the public; Branch said the materials include a detailed breakdown by fund, proposed fee schedule items for student activities, and additional context on positions moved from grant funds to the operating budget.