VB school superintendent presents proposed budget for next year, which includes 5% teacher raise

Posted: Feb 2, 2021 / 10:06 PM EST / Updated: Feb 3, 2021 / 12:03 AM EST

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach school officials have released the proposed budget for the next school year, which includes a 5% raise for teachers, among other items.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence presented his proposed 2021-2022 budget to the school board on Tuesday night.

The $828.8-million budget includes a raise for teachers, expanding the Spanish Immersion Program, increasing the number of guidance counselors, and more.

Here’s exactly what’s proposed, per a school division spokeswoman:

• a 5% raise for teachers (4.5% increase in cost of living adjustment (COLA) + a 0.5% step increase for all staff reaching or below top of scale)
• moving all custodians up one pay grade
• increasing the number of guidance counselors for elementary and middle schools
• expanding the Spanish Immersion Program
• supports for our growing English as a Second Language (ESL) and special education populations
• further support for the Environmental Studies Program at the Brock Center

Virginia Beach City Public Schools returned some students to the classroom on Tuesday, including pre-K through sixth-grade students and some special needs students.

Students in seventh through 12th grade are planned to return three weeks later on Feb. 23.