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Council presses for RPS documentation after virtual academy cost doubles; proposes independent audit
Summary
Council members sought written backup after Richmond Public Schools told staff the Richmond Virtual Academy would cost $3.2 million (up from a staff estimate of $1.6 million). Several members urged an independent audit (estimated about $175,000) to reconcile apparent budget discrepancies and to clarify whether city funding could ensure program continuity.
Council members pressed for clearer documentation and an independent review after Richmond Public Schools (RPS) reported that a full Richmond Virtual Academy would cost $3,200,000 — double a prior council-staff estimate of $1,600,000. Council chief of staff RJ Warren said staff’s initial analysis showed $1.6 million but RPS provided the $3.2 million figure and council asked staff to compare the two amounts and report back.
The discrepancy prompted multiple council members to call for an independent audit of RPS budget practices. "The reason this amendment is here is to get clarity," Councilmember Trammell said, urging a breakdown from the district on how it arrived at $3,200,000. Warren said council staff estimates put the high-school‑only virtual program at about $1.1 million, while the total program for all grades was reported by RPS as $3.2 million. He said an independent audit contracted through the city auditor’s office would cost roughly $175,000 and be raised as both a text amendment and a general‑fund amendment.
Members also pressed staff on how partial funding would affect program continuity. Council members warned that if the council did not fully fund the RPS ask, some programs (including the virtual academy) could be discontinued because the council cannot encumber operating money to the district in a way that legally guarantees its use; Warren explained that funds given to the district could be used at the school board’s discretion. "Even though that number is identified to fund the program, if that number is given to them, it could be used for that purpose, and it could not," Warren said.
Council members asked for written documentation from RPS on the virtual academy cost breakdown, and staff committed to analyze and compare the two figures by the end of the week. Council also discussed related RPS requests, including transportation and two security guards at each middle school; staff reported an RPS line item of $707,000 for those needs and said they would provide documentation detailing which schools and pupil counts are affected.
The council did not take a final vote during the work session; members requested additional documentation, legal analysis of the council’s ability to restrict how district funds are spent, and a staff comparison of the competing cost figures ahead of next week's decision-making.
