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Hampton City Schools present $358 million FY26 budget, propose 4% pay raise
Summary
Hampton City Schools presented a board-approved fiscal year 2026 budget totaling about $358 million, including a proposed 4% compensation increase for all teachers and staff and targeted investments to raise starting teacher pay and add staff positions.
Hampton City Schools leaders presented the division's board-approved fiscal year 2026 budget to the Hampton City Council at a work session, saying it reflects the school board's priorities for student learning, competitive compensation and school safety. Superintendent Raymond Haynes and Chief Financial Officer Branch said the division projects total funds of about $358,000,000 for the coming school year.
The budget document shown to council projects state revenue of roughly $200,300,000 and estimated local support of $99,000,000, which the schools said remains subject to final city council approval. CFO Branch said the operating fund is categorized by statutorily required classifications (instruction; administration; pupil transportation; operations and maintenance; debt and transfers) and that instruction accounts for the largest share of spending, while salaries and fringe benefits represent about 80% of the budget.
The school board approved a 4% compensation increase for all teachers and staff, effective July 1, 2025, which Branch estimated would cost about $8.4 million. In addition, the board recommended a $2.0 million targeted investment into teacher salaries to raise the starting teacher salary to $56,750. "We are continuing our focus on having a safe and nurturing school environment by adding additional school security officers in our elementary and pre-K buildings," Superintendent Haynes said.
Councilmembers asked how the division would hold down employee health-care premiums while granting raises; Branch said the division renegotiated its self-insured health program a few years ago and uses a third-party benefits consultant to negotiate savings. Council members also questioned how enrollment changes affect state funding; Branch said at-risk funding and other formula components can offset basic-aid reductions tied to lower average daily membership (the division projected an ADMr of 18,353 for March 31, 2026).
The schools provided a link to detailed budget pages and said a final approval process would continue in May with a closeout in June, pending the final state biennial budget from Richmond.
