Superintendent Dr. Richards presented a preliminary FY27 operating budget to the Harrisonburg City School Board on March 3, emphasizing recruitment and retention, a 3% placeholder for salary adjustments, investments in the special education continuum and expansion of CTE pathways while noting state revenue uncertainties and an upcoming public hearing.
On March 3 the Harrisonburg City School Board approved first readings of several updated policies (student physicals, heat-safety for outdoor athletics, instruction policies including MTSS and the 3 Es) and unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing VSBA's March 2026 Equity in Education Month proclamation.
Several instructional assistants and a veteran special education teacher told the Harrisonburg City School Board that IA pay has not kept pace with living costs and increases in job duties, urging the board to fund higher wages in the FY27 budget.
Board members announced an Athletics Academy and formed an athletics ad hoc board committee to examine equity, program growth and community partnerships across Harrisonburg's two high schools and feeder middle schools.
The Harrisonburg City School Board reviewed and approved first-reading changes to several policies — including a new student‑athlete sudden cardiac arrest policy, reorganization of student health services, and medication-policy language to allow newer inhalable rescue devices — and advanced a change to support‑staff probationary periods.
The board approved the proposed 2026‑27 school calendar by voice vote after brief discussion; trustees confirmed snow‑makeup limits and conversion rules for additional built‑in work days.
At its Jan. 6 organizational meeting the Harrisonburg City School Board elected Dr. Tim Howley as chair and Matt Snyder as vice chair for 2026, affirmed clerk and fiscal appointments, authorized superintendent reassignments, and adopted the VSBA Code of Conduct; votes were taken by voice and were uncontested in the record.
At its Dec. 2 meeting the Harrisonburg City School Board approved first readings of Policy 109 (electronic participation) and a revised sabbatical-leave policy, and asked staff for more information on proposed support-staff changes (Policy 647). No public comments were received.
Superintendent Dr. Richards announced a task force to explore building an athletics academy within Harrisonburg City Public Schools, saying the group will start small, include board members and local coaches, and hold its first meeting in December.
The board approved its 2026 legislative program, highlighting cooperation with residential health facilities and concerns about sudden SOL accountability changes; Madison Desarno, a GMU senior, helped produce a pamphlet for Richmond advocacy.
