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Harrisonburg board weighs state funding uncertainty, health‑insurance choices and IA pay proposals
Summary
Board budget staff briefed members on state negotiations over data‑center tax incentives, a projected $2.2 million shortfall pending state action, modeling of a 15% health‑insurance increase, and several pay proposals for instructional assistants that hinge on likely state revenue.
HARRISONBURG, Va. — With the state still negotiating taxes on data centers and other revenue options, Harrisonburg City Schools on April 7 laid out budget choices that could affect staff pay, instructional‑assistant raises and district services.
Superintendent Dr. Richards and budget presenter Mr. Kirwan told the board that the General Assembly’s Senate and House proposals differ on how aggressively to phase out data‑center tax breaks — a change senators estimate could free hundreds of millions for education, while the House favored a phased approach with offsets. The state reconvenes later this month, and the division is holding final budget decisions pending that outcome.
Mr. Kirwan said enrollment trends show a modest decline that could reduce state revenue; the current tentative shortfall shown in the division’s planning materials is about $2.2 million. To cover the gap, staff outlined options including eliminating two elementary positions through attrition and modest cuts to school budgets.
The board also discussed a projected 15% increase in health‑insurance costs. Modeling showed that asking employees to absorb the full cost would save the district roughly $388,000 but would reduce the net value of raises, especially for employees on family plans. Budget staff recommended continuing the district’s current employer contributions and seeking other revenue for raises.
Instructional‑assistant pay was a central topic. Staff presented three pay proposals and noted that Proposal C — which would move many IAs above the current pay grade and include a one‑time bonus — would require additional state aid but would place IA pay above comparable divisions in Virginia if funded.
A public commenter who identified herself as an instructional assistant told the board she and her colleagues would be helped by Proposal C and urged the board to act.
The board did not adopt a final budget April 7; members said they will revisit the proposals after the state’s action and at an April work session and in future budget meetings.
