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Hampton City School Board approves one-time staff bonus tied to amended state budget
Summary
The board unanimously approved a one-time staff bonus for fiscal year 2025'26 after administration said the amended 2026 state budget included $1,500 for Standards of Quality positions and the division proposed distributing $2.4 million in state funds plus $2.6 million from operating funds to ensure all staff receive a payment.
The Hampton City School Board voted unanimously April 1 to approve a one-time staff bonus for fiscal year 2025'26 after the administration said the amended state budget includes funding for a $1,500 bonus for Standards of Quality positions.
"The fiscal year 2026 state budget has been amended to include a $1500 bonus for state funded quality positions," Brittany Branch, the district's chief financial officer, told the board as she presented the recommendation and the funding plan.
Branch said the division recommends using $2.4 million in state funds and an additional $2.6 million from the operating fund so the bonus can be distributed broadly rather than only to state-funded positions. She said the division must certify to the Virginia Department of Education by May 1 if it will provide the bonus, and that, if approved, staff would receive payments on May 27, 2026. Branch described the expected take-home impact as approximately $969 for full-time employees and $484.54 for part-time employees.
Board member Cherry moved to approve the superintendent's recommendation; the motion was seconded by Dr. Banks-Gray. The clerk recorded roll-call votes of "Aye" from Jackson Afonja, Cherry, Banks-Gray, Samuels, Kilgore and Dr. Mason and the motion carried.
Board discussion focused on timeliness: administrators said the May 1 certification deadline and the recommended payout schedule were the primary reasons for moving the item from deliberation to action the same evening. The board recorded no opposing votes.
Next steps: administration will certify the plan to the Virginia Department of Education by the May 1 deadline and proceed with payroll processing for the May 27 payment date.
