CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools has presented his $28.9 million budget for the 2024-25 school year — but an additional $17.4 million would necessary for things like raises intended to increase retention of teachers and other staff.
In a budget meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, Chesterfield Superintendent Mervin Daugherty presented his proposed budget for the upcoming school year to the Chesterfield County School Board. The plan contains a total of $28.9 million in costs for the county’s schools, funding various needs from custodial contracts to school-related transportation.
$24.9 million of the $28.9 million is allocated for a 4% raise for school employees. Teachers and school-level administrators will receive an increase of about 1%, plus an additional 3% cost of living increase.
Additionally, the school district’s minimum rate of pay would be increased from $14 an hour to $14.42 an hour. Daughterty said that, while an increase to $16 an hour would be ideal, it would cost $15 million.
Other budget items included the hiring of additional school psychologists and social workers to help the school district close the gap in its faculty-to-student ratio. Currently, the National Association of School Psychologists recommends a 1 to 500-750 ratio for psychologists and a 1 to 500 ratio for social workers. In both areas, the county is at 1 to 1500.
Daughtery said the hiring of “FOCUS facilitators,” or in-person staff that would facilitate virtual learning in classrooms, is also a priority — particularly in the county’s 19 math classes that are without teachers. He is also looking to create and fill an “HR Substitute Specialist” to manage the county’s large amount of substitute teachers.
Daughtery added that there are $17.4 million in costs not able to be covered in the proposed budget. Some of these costs are for things like maintenance and air filters — others could have a direct impact on some schools if they cannot be funded.
A variety of Chesterfield County school support positions — including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and social workers — are compensated at rates below both school and private market salaries. An additional $1.9 million would be needed to raise these rates.
Bonuses totaling around $2 million that are intended to increase retention for custodial and instructional assistant positions are also not funded.
These numbers are based on the current proposed budget allocations from both state and local government. Daughtery said that it’s possible these plans might change if the General Assembly or Gov. Glenn Youngkin proceed with any adjustments before the budget is finalized.
Chesterfield County’s government has provided significant support to the school district, according to Daughtery. Currently, nearly half of the school district’s budget comes from the county.
“But there’s a time where we have to have our legislators stop talking about [funding schools] and do some action,” Daughtery said.
Future work sessions for this operational budget can be watched online and are scheduled for the following dates:
- Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m.
- This is a public hearing.
- Thursday, Feb. 22, no time listed as of yet.
- The budget will be finalized and approved at this meeting.
Additionally, those interested in sharing their thoughts on the budget with the school board can attend any of the following scheduled town halls:
- Dale District Town Hall: Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook High School
- Clover Hill District Town Hall: Monday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Clover Hill High School
- Matoaca District Town Hall: Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Manchester High School
- Spanish-speaking Town Hall: Thursday, Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Manchester Middle School
- Bermuda District Town Hall: Monday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Thomas Dale High School Main Campus
- Midlothian District Town Hall: Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Midlothian Middle School
