Aird seeks $1M in state budget for Henrico's ‘Opportunity Schools’ program
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Henrico Senator Lashrecse Aird (D-13th District) is seeking $1 million in an amendment to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed budget to help Henrico Schools expand its “Opportunity Schools” program.
The one-time funding would allow HCPS to designate Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary and Brookland Middle as Opportunity Schools for the 2025-2026 school year, providing both schools with additional teaching staff, tailored professional learning opportunities for teachers and principals, and an annual $3,300 bonus to all eligible licensed staff.
HCPS currently has 10 schools within the Opportunity Schools program, which the district launched last school year for schools with high rates of staff vacancies and provisionally-licensed staff. Once identified, schools receive several staffing supports for three years, including a full-time teaching fellow to help mentor staff, an additional permanent substitute teacher, and an additional administrative leader for middle and high schools.
The shortage of fully-licensed teachers is one of the biggest challenges currently facing Henrico Schools, said Aird, whose district includes much of Eastern Henrico. The Opportunity Schools initiative works as one of HCPS’ biggest teacher recruitment and retention programs, especially for schools in high-poverty areas where students often need more support, she said.
Aird said she also hopes other Virginia school divisions will consider adopting the program and added that Petersburg City Public Schools has already shown interest in the Opportunity Schools model.
With a $3 billion surplus this year, Aird said that state legislators likely will look favorably upon one-time funding requests. The two other Henrico senators –Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16th District) and former Henrico School Board member Lamont Bagby (D-14th District) – also have signed on to Aird’s budget amendment.
Henrico School Board members have also previously discussed using local funds from the county’s Board of Supervisors to help expand the Opportunity Schools initiative. HCPS spokesperson Ken Blackstone said that while HCPS is excited for the potential of state funds to support the program, it likely will be a few months before any budget amendments are finalized.
Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s Report for America Corps member and education reporter. Her position is dependent upon reader support; make a tax-deductible contribution to the Citizen through RFA here.
