Coach raises stipend pay and fund‑raising burden; superintendent says compensation will be top budget priority

Christopher Coffee, who identified himself as a Chesterfield County cross-country coach, used his public-comment time on Nov. 12 to call attention to low stipends for coaches, sponsors and department chairs. "When I add up all those hours and I divide it by the stipend I get, I become an employee that is making less than $4 an hour," Coffee said, urging the board to address compensation inequities and the fundraising burden placed on volunteers and coaches.

Coffee said he tracks hours spent at practices, competitions, invitationals and community events and described the expectation that coaches must raise funds to sustain programs when district resources are insufficient.

Superintendent Dr. Murray addressed compensation in his remarks later in the meeting, saying the district's budget process is "well underway" and that compensation "continues to be top of mind and that will be... a very big point of emphasis, if not the centerpiece in this year's budget." Dr. Murray noted uncertainty from changes at the gubernatorial level and potential federal funding shifts but emphasized a commitment to raising pay among other priorities.

Board members thanked Coffee for speaking and several referenced the broader budgeting timeline and staffing challenges. No immediate change to stipend levels was proposed at the Nov. 12 meeting; board members directed staff to continue budget planning and discussions.

What's next: The board and staff will address compensation trade-offs during the FY2027 budget process and will consider how to resource stipends and other pay adjustments.