RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond School Board met on Tuesday night to discuss a revised budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which has been significantly impacted by a $20 million shortfall. Despite receiving an additional $9.6 million in funding from the city, the $248.9 million allocation still falls short of the district’s original request.
Superintendent Jason Kamras addressed the financial challenges, acknowledging the difficulty in balancing the budget. “The painful reality is that there just isn’t enough money to go around,” Kamras said. He emphasized that while the community’s needs are vast, the available resources are limited.
In response to the funding gap, the school board proposed a revised budget that includes nearly $13.8 million in spending cuts. Despite these reductions, the proposal maintains key investments in areas such as staff compensation and multilingual education.
One of the most significant allocations is the $16.5 million set aside for salary increases. These wage hikes, previously agreed upon through collective bargaining, are a priority for school leadership and have been preserved in the revised budget. The funding will support raises for various staff positions, ensuring that teachers and other district employees see a percentage increase in their pay.
In addition to salary increases, the budget includes $5.5 million to hire 55 new multilingual learner teachers, addressing the growing need for support for students who speak languages other than English. Other notable investments include $50,000 to expand the student mentorship program and $30,000 to improve security at graduation ceremonies.
However, the budget also includes significant cuts, notably around $3.1 million in potential savings from eliminating long-vacant positions. The school district also anticipates another $4 million in savings from reductions in non-essential expenses, such as software, supplies, and textbooks.
During a school board meeting on May 6, Kamras provided an update on the revised budget and answered questions from board members, many of whom had reviewed the proposal during a work session the previous evening.
Board member Shonda-Harris Muhammed sought clarification on the positions being eliminated as part of the $3.1 million reduction, and Kamras confirmed that data on the length of vacancy for each position was being compiled.
Another point of contention arose regarding a proposed $125,000 reduction to the audit department. Board member Stephanie Rizzi voiced concern about cutting a junior position in the department, stating that the decision to eliminate the role had been made without discussion. “It is really important that that department is strong,” she said, recalling the effort it took to establish those positions in the first place.
Board member Cheryl Burke echoed Rizzi’s concerns, suggesting that eliminating an audit position could have unintended consequences for the department’s overall effectiveness.
As the school board continues to navigate the difficult task of balancing the budget, the proposed reductions and investments will undoubtedly spark further discussions among board members and the public. With the fiscal year fast approaching, the board’s final decisions will determine how the district adapts to both its financial constraints and its commitment to meeting the needs of its students and staff.
