At yesterday’s City Council work session on the FY 2017 Recommended Budget, Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ashby Kilgore presented the School Division’s funding request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Schools total planned budget is $305.6 million, which is $9.7 million higher than the current year. The City is mandated to provide a minimum level of local funding, known as the Required Local Effort, which is approximately $56 million. As schools are a critical asset to Newport News, the City will provide a total of $119.3 million to Schools in FY 2017 - $1 million more than in the current year. The State will be providing $8.8 million more in new support to the School Division.

The additional funding is planned to be used in these major areas – salary increases (annual pay adjustments, entry level teacher pay and bus driver wages); additional positions, which include one new position in each elementary school and five other positions throughout the division; improved wireless service through replacement of all network access points; supplies and books for elementary classrooms; non-bus vehicle replacements; and funding for capital projects including renovations and modernizations.

City Council will continue its deliberations on the entire FY 2017 Recommended Budget at the second public hearing tomorrow, Thursday, April 14th, at 7:00 PM in the Denbigh Community Center. By City Code, City Council must adopt a budget for schools by May 15th.

 The FY 2017 Recommended City Budget is found on the City’s website and printed copies are located in all public library branches. The School Division’s recommended budget can be found at www.nnschools.org/budget. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Budget and Evaluation at (757) 926-8733 or budget@nnva.gov.