RPS puts $8.9M budget crisis in Mayor Avula's hands
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Mayor Avula, whose wife is an RPS teacher, told reporters Thursday that helping RPS remains a "huge priority" for the city. Photo: Mike Kropf-Pool/Getty Images
Richmond Public Schools is looking to City Hall for a financial lifeline after the delayed state budget left the district with an unexpected $8.9 million shortfall.
Why it matters: The city's next move could determine whether Richmond students see larger class sizes and fewer mental health supports this fall.
- RPS has already closed its virtual school and laid off over 70 people this year.
The big picture: The school board asked Mayor Avula on Tuesday to use $5.6 million in short-term rental tax revenue and other local funds to avoid "these drastic cuts."
- How: They want him to propose budget amendments to City Council.
- In a Thursday letter obtained by Axios, Avula told the board his administration is reviewing the request and expects to know more "in the coming weeks."
- "All of us who are invested in the long-term success of RPS must find a path forward together," wrote Avula.
Reality check: Avula also told reporters on Thursday that the tax revenue "may not be the answer" because it first flows through the Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority and hasn't been finalized.
- Officials are exploring options, like potentially deferring water and sewer payments, but Avula said there's no obvious source of money to close the gap without redirecting funds from somewhere else.
Catch up quick: Superintendent Jason Kamras warned the school board on Monday that the district landed on "fairly desperate measures" after the state delivered less funding than RPS anticipated.
- The proposals include eliminating all 88 annual substitute teachers, cutting 15 vacant teaching positions, freezing some hiring and reducing mental health contracts.
- Other alternatives floated in a Tuesday meeting: eliminating vacant central office jobs, scaling back leadership contracts, reducing after-school transportation and furloughing the leadership team to avoid districtwide furloughs.
Friction point: In a heated and emotional public comment on Tuesday, teachers, parents and union leaders argued classrooms shouldn't bear the burden until RPS fully scrutinizes its finances.
- Several speakers renewed calls for an audit, citing recent financial controversies.
Between the lines: The board is also wondering how the district got here. Board member Anne Holton said she's "befuddled" at how RPS' own "worst-case scenario" underestimated the loss.
- Kamras, and some board members, said state legislators had repeatedly assured leaders that funding would be "demonstrably better" than expected.
What we're watching: The school board could reconvene later this month to finalize the budget plan before its Aug. 11 meeting. Most RPS students return in late August.
This story has been updated with additional comment from Avula.