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School board approves 4% across‑the‑board pay increase, citing state deadline and staffing concerns
Summary
The Lynchburg City School Board voted to approve a 4% salary increase for all staff to align with a late state supplement and address retention concerns; the board said it will pursue one‑time city funding and line‑by‑line budget reviews to cover an estimated $1.5–$1.8 million shortfall.
The Lynchburg City School Board voted to approve a 4% across‑the‑board salary increase for school system employees after the state adopted a last‑minute 4% supplement for Standards of Quality positions.
Finance committee chair Mr. Connor, who moved the amendment to add the item to tonight’s agenda, said the timing required an expedited decision so the division could accept state compensation funds before the Virginia Department of Education’s July 30 certification deadline. "We had to make a decision tonight because prior to July 30 [we must] meet the VDOE's required certification deadline and to allow sufficient time for payroll processing," Connor said.
The finance committee reported it had previously asked the city for $4.5 million to reach wage goals such as a $20 minimum for classified staff and higher starting teacher pay; the committee said those earlier requests left a roughly $2.1 million gap when the local budget was set. Connor said the committee voted unanimously to recommend giving the 4% increase to all employees, not only SOQ‑funded positions, arguing "not only do they deserve it, but they need it." (Mr. Connor led the committee recommendation.)
Board members pressed for details on how to fund the raise. Chair Dr. Gupta and other members said the district will seek one‑time assistance from city administration to cover a near‑term shortfall and will otherwise examine operating lines for savings. "If the city administration could come up with one‑time funding, so we can go through up to June 30," the chair said, adding the finance committee will "go line by line" to find efficiencies. The board noted the additional recurring burden from the increase could be roughly $1.5 million to $1.8 million, depending on final payroll calculations.
Several board members emphasized they do not plan staff or meal program cuts and said they would avoid measures that would directly reduce student services. "We're not talking about people," one member said; instead, the board discussed deferring nonessential expenditures and tightening utility and discretionary spending.
The motion to approve the 4% pay increase passed by roll call. (Roll call was conducted by the clerk; the clerk recorded affirmative votes and the board announced "Motion passes.")
The superintendent and HR staff will implement contract and payroll changes; the superintendent thanked LEA leadership for engagement during the process and warned affected employees of forthcoming contract revisions and retroactive pay adjustments.
