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Richmond speakers urge council to fully fund Richmond Virtual Academy, press for housing and retirement fixes
Summary
Dozens of residents, parents and RVA staff urged Richmond City Council to close a $3.8 million funding gap for Richmond Virtual Academy, demanded the administration fund an $11.7 million Affordable Housing Trust Fund allocation required by ordinance, and called for a pause or review of the city's Flock Safety surveillance contract.
Dozens of Richmond residents and school advocates told the City Council on April 13 that the mayor's proposed budget risks disrupting services for vulnerable students and leaves legally mandated housing funding out of the draft.
"The cycle of uncertainty must end," said Dr. Cindy Robinson, principal of Richmond Virtual Academy, urging the council to "close the gap" in school funding and to fully fund Richmond Public Schools and RVA. Robinson said the proposed $257 million allocation still leaves about $3.8 million unmet and warned that the shortfall would particularly harm students with long-term medical or social-emotional needs.
Other speakers described student outcomes and program efficiencies they say justify preserving RVA. "The per pupil cost at RVA is half that of in-person learning," said Jacqueline Johnson Wilson, an RVA parent, adding that moving students back into in-person placements could create tens of thousands in transition costs for…
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