NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Norfolk School Board recently adopted Superintendent Dr. Sharon Byrdsong's proposed $772.9 million budget, which calls for a 4.5% salary increase, increased starting pay for teachers, a one-time bonus for full-time contracted employees at the top of their salary scales an d no increases to health insurance premiums. The board adopted the plan at its March 19 business meeting. Full-time contracted staff would get a 4.5% salary increase, starting pay for teachers would rise from $57,500 to $60,088 and there would be a 2.2% one-time bonus for full-time, contracted employees at the top of their salary scales. Superintendents-Budget-Presentation-Fact-Sheet-Feb-2025-1Download The budget also funds a new Equity and Excellence Learning Center at Southside STEM Academy at Campostella. There are four such schools currently — at Jacox and P.B. Young elementary schools, Ruffner School and Booker T. Washington High School. The centers provide wraparound services that include mental health and emotional support, along with medical resources and family engagement programs. staff to help English learners, students with disabilities and more student attendance support. It also provides for additional school security resources such as cameras, vehicles and increased pay for police offices covering student athletic events. The division's $253 million capital improvement budget has funding to replace Maury High School, replace heating and air conditioning units, make wall system improvements, renovate Camp Young's swimming pool, continue renovations at Booker T. Washington High School and get new school buses. City Council is expected to adopt a municipal budget in May, which includes the operating budget for Norfolk Public Schools. However, City Council last week called for the board to develop a plan within the next five months to close and consolidate 10 schools, with the closures starting by August 2026. Norfolk council calls for School Board to close and consolidate 10 schools The resolution adopted by council threatens to provide consequences to the board for any delay, including changing the city's appropriation to Norfolk Public Schools from a lump-sum one to a directed appropriation to give council more control over school division appropriations "in order to ameliorate the estimated loss of funds due to surplus capacity of school buildings." Budget-Superintendents-Budget-Presentation-Feb-2025-1Download Byrdsong said one of the operating budget priorities would include "right-sizing the school division" through continuing to work with a consulting firm to facilitate the work of the long-range educational and facilities planning committee while initiating a comprehensive community engagement effort and developing recommendations for consolidating and closing the division's schools. ...read more read less