Newport News eyes 3% raise for all school staff

State funding would help cover increase in budget

NEWPORT NEWS — A $335.4 million budget proposal presented to the Newport News School Board on Tuesday includes a 3% raise for all employees.

The budget proposal, a $10.7 million increase from this fiscal year’s budget, is mostly funded by more money from the state. The city is expected to chip in $113.4 million, the same as this year. The raises are expected to cost $11.1 million, taking advantage of funding included in the General Assembly’s budget for raises for state-funded positions. The proposal includes another $2 million in teacher pay scale adjustments that’ll give teachers larger raises, ranging from 3.7-6.7%.

But the district also expects its health care costs to rise about $2.4 million next year, about $300,000 of which will be passed onto employees. Premiums will rise 3-6%, ranging from $1.64 to $33.12 a month depending on the employee’s coverage.

“When you look at that from a cost of living standpoint, the bottom line is our employees will on a monthly basis have more money in their pocket next year,” said Superintendent George Parker.

The General Assembly’s approved budget, which has yet to be signed by Gov. Ralph Northam, includes funding for a 5% raise for state employees and state-funded positions in schools. To be eligible, local school districts have to give a raise over the biennium, which spans this fiscal year and next.

Many districts, including Newport News, paused their planned raises in spring, concerned about the economic effects of the pandemic. Newport News is restoring its 3% raise starting this month along with a $750 bonus.

A 3% next year would be on top of that and meet the 5% threshold to get all the money the state’s offering. It’d also ensure that all district employees are making at least $11 an hour ahead of the state’s next minimum wage increase at the start of next year.

Some other districts are offering 5% raises even after unfreezing raises, including Hampton, which is setting aside $7.3 million for them. In addition to $5.2 million

more from the state, Hampton schools are expecting nearly $1.4 million more from the city. Unlike in Newport News, Hampton sets aside city money for schools using a fixed formula based on tax collections.

The health insurance premium increase anticipates health insurance claims to rise this year and next year. Claims dropped last year as people delayed doctor’s visits and procedures during the pandemic, but the district expects the pace to pick up.

Last year’s budget had included a premium increase, but the district froze it when they froze raises to avoid an effective pay cut for employees. It’ll be the first premium increase since 2016.

“When you look at that from a cost of living standpoint, the bottom line is our employees will on a monthly basis have more money in their pocket next year.”

— Newport News School Board Superintendant George Parker

The budget includes 21 new positions, including five school counselors, two licensed clinical social workers and two psychologists.

Parker said those positions were especially important given the toll the pandemic has had on student mental health.

His proposal also includes $1 million for technology needs. The district may use federal coronavirus relief funds to supplement that, but those funds aren’t included in the budget.

The board will have a public hearing on the budget at 6:30 p.m. on March 16 in the school administration building and will vote on the proposal on March 23.