NPS task force recommends $1.14M in cuts and reallocations to close SY27 budget gap

A cross-departmental task force convened by Norfolk Public Schools recommended a package of cuts and reallocations at the board’s May 6 work session that staff say will close the remaining SY27 budget shortfall without eliminating core student supports.

Dr. Paul told the board that the district’s proposed SY27 budget is roughly $472 million, about a $12 million increase over the current year. The city manager’s proposed budget moved $8 million in reversion funds to the capital improvement program, removed $6.2 million from the local budget presentation and increased revenue sharing by $1.8 million; those changes reduced an initial more-than-$8 million shortfall to under $6.2 million, staff said.

The task force, which included principals and central-office staff, presented recommendations totaling approximately $1.14 million: reduce the external tutoring contract by $800,000 while reinvesting $500,000 to hire locally based tutors; cut the annual PBIS stipend from $1,250 to $625; eliminate wellness champion stipends; fund one behavior specialist this year instead of three; reduce the centrally managed furniture budget by $150,000 with year-end funds as a contingency; and reduce McKinney‑Vento transportation funding by $250,000 based on expected savings from an in‑house van and driver program.

"Our task force came together with one clear purpose and that was to identify responsible recommendations that would help close the remaining gap in the proposed budget while minimizing the impact on our students and schools," Miss Copeland said. Staff argued local tutors cost less per hour than vendor tutors and that shifting some tutoring to locally hired staff could increase capacity while lowering costs.

Board members asked operational questions: where any new security officers would be assigned (staff said placements would be data-driven and could be adjusted with year-end data), how McKinney‑Vento savings were calculated (staff cited current in-house vans and drivers that reduced contractor costs), and what data supported PBIS stipends and wellness roles (staff said stipends grew during ESSER-funded recovery and the task force reviewed stipend sizes across the division).

Dr. Rose and staff cautioned the board about moving technology match funds out of the local budget; the district must provide a roughly $200,000 local match to qualify for an estimated $1.3 million state technology grant. Staff also reported that most Early Learning Center (ELC) funding is grant-funded (a $5 million five-year grant providing about $1 million per year), and that program evaluation with an external partner (Handover) is planned.

The board moved and seconded a motion to enter a closed executive session to discuss central-office assignments and consult with counsel under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; the clerk read the statutory citations and the board conducted a roll-call after the motion.

Next steps: staff will present the recommended adjustments formally at the district’s business meeting after the city council finalizes its budget; the board requested follow-up materials on program impacts, staffing assignments for any new security posts, and detailed tutoring implementation plans if local hires are used.