The Danville School Board received the Superintendent’s Recommended Budget for 2025-2026 during a work session Thursday evening. The proposed budget, which totals $121.8 million, addresses five key priority areas: improved achievement, safe school environments, support services for learning, improved facilities, and investing in employees.
“As a board, it is our job to carefully review the proposed budget to ensure we are supporting the work in the classroom, as well as our operations,” School Board Chair Ty’Quan Graves said. “This budget as presented focuses on core areas that will help us reach our goal of increasing achievement for all.”
Investments in Employees
The proposed budget includes an 8% salary increase for teachers, a 4% salary increase for non-teaching employees, and a $1,000 bonus for all employees. The budget also supports a reduction in family health insurance premiums and the continuance of the iTeach Program for certification. To support climate and culture initiatives, funds have been allocated for customer service measurements, increased climate surveys, and improvements in employee recognition programs.
Improved Achievement
The proposed budget covers investments in the classroom, including High Quality Instructional Materials, instructional paraprofessionals, maintaining smaller class sizes in kindergarten through third grade, and literacy and math instructional coaches. Funds dedicated towards professional learning in the Science of Reading, teachers for small group reading instruction in elementary schools, and after school and Saturday School programs tie back to a focus on grade level reading.
In addition, funds are included to help increase college and career readiness for all students through additional Career and Technical Education courses and the new Innov8 STEM Academy for middle school.
Safe School Environments
The proposed budget provides for safety upgrades in transportation, including an improved camera system for surveillance, an increase for bus assistants to support bus drivers, the addition of ID badges for school bus riders, and additional administrative support for referrals and parent communication.
The budget also includes safety upgrades on the school campuses with enhanced metal detectors, 911 Inform software for immediate emergency response, improved camera system, increased training, and more.
Student Support Services
The budget covers support for attendance, behavior, and mental health initiatives, including increased support for nurses, mental health liaison services, and improved support for appropriate behavior.
Facility Improvements
The capital budget includes funds for continuation of facility improvements at campuses, including the middle schools and Schoolfield, Gibson, and Park Avenue Elementary Schools.
“The 2025-2026 school year will be transformative for Danville Public Schools, with the completion of three construction and renovation projects and exciting additions to our academic offerings,” Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairston said. “We are looking forward to continuing our work towards cultivating excellence in our students and staff.”
The proposed budget is a working draft for the next fiscal year, which will begin on July 1, 2025, and is estimated based on the proposed state budgets from Governor Youngkin, the House of Delegates, and the Senate. The school board will host public hearings on the budget in March. Pending board approval in April, the budget will be submitted to City Council for approval in May.