NORFOLK, Va. — The School Board of the City of Norfolk approved its budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 on Wednesday.
In a five to two vote, the school board approved a $672 million budget that supports an increase in pay for teachers and retention incentives.
Superintendent Dr. Sharon Byrdsong created the budget based on five priorities:
- Employee compensation
- Employee recruitment and retention
- Right-sizing the school division
- Safety, security, and building maintenance/repairs
- Instructional and social-emotional learning resources for students
The teacher salaries will increase by 8% for teachers and classified staff and almost 6% for administrators.
The starting pay for teachers is currently $53,000 but will increase to $57,000. In addition, there will be a $3,000 retention bonus for eligible employees.
The funding to support emotional and social-emotional learning will support students with disabilities. Resources will be used to address students' mental health and social-emotional needs.
Equity and Excellence Learning Centers will be established in P.B. Young Elementary, Jacox Elementary, the Ruffner School, and Booker T. Washington High School.
The budget also supports a feasibility study to explore the possibility of transforming Lake Taylor High School into a comprehensive career and technical education school through a public charter;
An overview of the FY 2025 budget is available on the Norfolk Public Schools' Budget at a Glance webpage.
