Henrico School Board approves $944 million budget, with largest state aid in recent history
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The Henrico School Board adopted a $944 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year on April 17 – a $63 million increase from the current fiscal year’s budget.
This year, Henrico Schools received $429 million in state aid towards the general fund, the highest amount in modern history, according to HCPS Chief Financial Officer John Wack. HCPS also received more local funding this year, totaling $324 million, and the same amount of federal funding as last year towards the general fund.
A $30 million addition from the Henrico Board of Supervisors will allow HCPS to provide a 6% salary increase for all returning full-time employees – the highest across-the-board raise in the region and even double the amount of some neighboring school divisions, Wack said.
HCPS will also provide support staff – including custodial workers, maintenance assistants, general and exceptional education instructional assistants, and school-based nutrition service workers – pay increases between 13.8% and 19.3% depending on the role.
“That’s the type of raise that really changes a lot of household balance sheets,” said school board vice-chair Madison Irving (Three Chopt District). “So I’m just super grateful that we’re able to do that for our folks.”
Teachers’ extracurricular sponsorship stipends will also increase by at least 6% this year, with many receiving additional market adjustment increases.
The new budget takes effect at the start of the county's fiscal year, July 1.
The final budget includes all of the initiatives introduced in the original proposed budget, Wack said. Major additions included more school security officers for open campus-style schools, more English Learner teachers, and two new ‘Opportunity Schools’ that will receive extra staff and support to help address teacher vacancies.
HCPS’ budget will designate $764 million towards the general fund and includes $55 million towards debt service, $35 million towards school nutrition, and $90 million from state and federal grants.
Last year’s budget provided full-time staff with a 4.8% pay raise, along with extra pay increases for teachers and bus drivers that added up to a 7.2% raise.
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.
