[0:17] I want to thank you for being here.

[0:19] Tonight we will be presenting our FY twenty seven funding

[0:23] request before we get started.

[0:24] Ms.

[0:26] Paul, would you please call roll?

[0:28] Yes ma'am.

[0:30] Ms. Blackwell? Here. Doctor. Chase? Here. Ms. Davis?

[0:35] Here. Ms. Finkerholtz? Here. Ms. Healy?

[0:38] Here. Mr. Koreshi?

[0:40] Here.

[0:40] Ms. Randle? Here. Mr. Regan is absent. Doctor. Warner? Here.

[0:44] Madam Chair, you have a quorum.

[0:45] Thank you.

[0:47] So the school board presents representing our funding request,

[0:52] and the school budget represents one of the largest

[0:55] expenditures for the county.

[0:57] Next Tuesday, they will be voting on the advertised tax rate,

[1:00] and I'm sorry they couldn't deliver a quorum to us tonight,

[1:03] but I do want to thank mister English, miss Evans,

[1:06] and miss Guy for being here to listen to the presentation.

[1:09] I also want to thank our staff for turning this presentation

[1:12] around as quickly as they did.

[1:14] We only voted on the budget Tuesday.

[1:18] So before I begin,

[1:21] I want to thank this Board of Supervisors for fully funding

[1:26] our three priorities last year.

[1:29] Prior to last year,

[1:30] we had over nine million each year in deferred funding,

[1:33] causing us to fall behind.

[1:35] Your investment allowed us to proactively address critical

[1:38] repair, renovation, and replacement on our three r list

[1:42] to maintain safe, functional,

[1:44] and high quality learning environments for our students and staff.

[1:47] The funding was not about expansion.

[1:50] It was about protecting and preserving the infrastructure

[1:52] we have already built together as a community.

[1:55] We look forward to a continued partnership in maintaining

[1:58] these assets as good stewards of our resources and to

[2:01] avoid more costly emergency repairs in the future.

[2:04] We are grateful for your commitment to long term

[2:06] planning and infrastructure sustainability.

[2:09] As

[2:13] you watch this drone footage,

[2:14] you can see firsthand the progress being made on

[2:19] our new schools.

[2:23] These projects represent careful planning,

[2:25] strong oversight,

[2:27] and a shared commitment to meeting the needs of our community.

[2:30] Despite significant construction market challenges,

[2:33] including inflation, supply chain pressures,

[2:36] we have worked diligently to control costs and identify

[2:40] savings through processes.

[2:42] We are currently under budget and on time.

[2:47] Through strategic bid timing, value engineering,

[2:51] and close project management,

[2:53] we have been able to reduce the expenses while maintaining

[2:56] quality and safety standards.

[2:59] We should note that there is no state funding provided to open new schools.

[3:03] While construction is funded through capital dollars,

[3:06] cost to staff and operate these buildings falls on the

[3:10] local and operational budget.

[3:15] Opening them ensures we can provide appropriate class

[3:18] sizes, safe learning environments,

[3:20] and access to programs across the division.

[3:30] Stafford Schools continues to demonstrate strong academic

[3:34] performance and regional leadership.

[3:36] We are home to three of the top five elementary schools and the

[3:40] top ranked middle school.

[3:42] All Stafford schools are fully accredited.

[3:45] Four of our five high schools earned the state's

[3:47] distinguished designation reflecting achievement,

[3:50] graduation rates, attendance, and student engagement.

[3:54] It is the highest recognition available.

[3:56] One high school that narrowly missed this designation did so

[4:00] only by seven tenths of one point.

[4:03] Our English learners are showing significant growth.

[4:07] Stafford Schools earned thirteen of the top fifteen

[4:11] positions in the region for English learning progress.

[4:14] Overall, our standards of learning assessments improved this year,

[4:18] including twenty percent increase in World History two,

[4:21] gains in geometry, and of course reading, Virginia,

[4:24] and US history.

[4:25] And our students are outperforming state averages in key areas.

[4:30] These results show that our investments are producing

[4:32] measurable results in academic performance for students and the community.

[4:38] But there's still work to do.

[4:40] Our elementary and middle schools are progressing but

[4:42] need additional support and investment to achieve

[4:45] distinguished designation.

[4:47] We have two schools in need of intensive support and several

[4:49] schools that have been identified as off track.

[4:52] We are working closely with those schools to provide the

[4:55] planning and resources they need to excel.

[5:02] As we look ahead, Stafford,

[5:04] like many other school divisions,

[5:05] faces complex challenges.

[5:10] Our district is currently ranked one hundred and twenty

[5:14] one out of one hundred and thirty two for state funding.

[5:17] This demonstrates that despite less funding,

[5:19] we continue to make progress for our students.

[5:21] Local support is critical to bridge these funding gaps and

[5:24] maintain educational quality.

[5:26] Maintaining these costs while remaining regionally

[5:29] competitive is a growing challenge.

[5:31] This requires competitive salaries, benefits,

[5:33] and professional growth opportunities that are key to

[5:36] attracting and keeping high quality educators.

[5:39] But we also need to address the rising costs of health care

[5:42] that impacts our ability to fund instructional programs and

[5:45] other priorities.

[5:47] It's important to remember that among almost three quarters of

[5:50] Stafford County Public School employees work and live in

[5:54] Stafford, meaning local investment supports not only

[5:56] students, but the community's workforce and economy.

[6:00] Most of the students who attend our new schools are already here.

[6:04] Our high schools were operating above one hundred percent

[6:06] capacity and many of our elementary schools were

[6:08] approaching one hundred percent.

[6:10] These schools are not expansions for future growth.

[6:13] They are necessary solutions to current overcrowding.

[6:16] Some of our student populations continue to grow,

[6:19] including students with special needs and English language learners.

[6:22] Supporting these students requires resources,

[6:24] specialized staff, and targeted programs.

[6:27] We are often required to meet unfunded mandates for

[6:30] compliance with state and federal law.

[6:33] For example, the Virginia Literacy Act requires that

[6:36] every student be reading at grade level.

[6:40] While the statewide priority is important,

[6:42] but implementation requires training, instructional

[6:45] resources, and ongoing monitor to support struggling readers.

[6:49] Taken together, these major needs show that while we are making strong

[6:52] academic progress, sustained investment is required to

[6:56] maintain and meet our student needs.

[6:59] This budget, next slide.

[7:03] Whoops.

[7:04] This budget directly addresses our key priorities to our

[7:08] students, family and community.

[7:10] Attract and retain high quality staff,

[7:13] ensuring our schools maintain competitive and our students

[7:15] have excellent teachers, secure resources to improve

[7:20] performance, support programs interventions,

[7:23] and maintain safe high quality facilities that provide

[7:25] students with an enriching safe classroom environment.

[7:29] We are now I would like to introduce

[7:32] Doctor.

[7:32] Smith to present our funding request,

[7:34] but first I'd like to remind the Board of Supervisors that

[7:37] our funding request this year is lower than it was our

[7:40] original ask last year.

[7:43] Doctor Smith?

[7:44] Good afternoon.

[7:45] Before starting, I I would like to thank mister Ashton for his partnership and collaboration.

[7:50] Our county administrator is in a tough position to consider

[7:53] the needs of the county and develop a budget proposal.

[7:55] I can share that he know that he understands the commitment

[7:58] our county made to our new schools and our exist existing schools,

[8:02] and he's been a great advocate and supporter of our work to be one Stafford.

[8:06] Each year, we utilize a zero based budget approach

[8:09] and I can set share that something that's not common

[8:12] across Virginia school divisions.

[8:14] But it is important for us to take this approach to ensure

[8:18] that we are being as strategic, intentional,

[8:20] and efficient as possible.

[8:22] As you can see on this slide,

[8:24] our total anticipated revenue for FY twenty seven is forty

[8:28] one point one million new dollars.

[8:31] Our projected state increase is twenty one point six million

[8:34] and this is based on the governor Youngkin's caboose bill.

[8:37] We are aware of the house and senate budget bills that were

[8:40] released this past week and we are waiting specific details

[8:43] and information on what that is included in each and how they

[8:46] might impact Stafford schools.

[8:48] The local request in this budget is an increase of

[8:51] eighteen point six million dollars which includes a

[8:54] focused request on two specific items.

[8:58] Ten point six million dollars for the operational cost of our

[9:01] three new schools and eight million dollars for staff compensation.

[9:05] We appreciate the county administrator's proposed budget

[9:08] that would provide fifteen point one million in local funds,

[9:11] but it's important to note that is three point five million

[9:14] dollars short of the request.

[9:17] In terms of federal revenue,

[9:18] we are anticipating one million additional dollars this

[9:21] year in federal revenue,

[9:23] and this is mainly from formula adjustments and programs such as Medicaid.

[9:28] Our local revenue is projected to decrease by one hundred and

[9:32] sixty nine thousand dollars,

[9:33] and that's mainly as a result of last year's legislation with dual enrollment.

[9:37] Taken together, these funding sources would allow us to open new schools,

[9:41] invest in staff compensation,

[9:43] and continue to limit the local funding request through

[9:45] intentional efficient budgeting.

[9:49] Here's the bottom line upfront.

[9:51] Stafford Schools is delivering results.

[9:53] Every single one of our schools are fully accredited.

[9:56] Four of our five high schools are distinguished the highest

[9:59] designation in the state and our one high school that's

[10:02] still yet to get there is point seven points away.

[10:05] We are outperforming the state in key areas and leading the

[10:08] region in multiple grade levels.

[10:10] We are preparing our students for life after graduation as

[10:14] evidenced by the five thousand six hundred plus credentials

[10:17] that were earned last year.

[10:19] But we know we are growing and we have growing

[10:21] responsibilities.

[10:23] We are we are set to open three new schools which will expand

[10:26] our footprint of k twelve schools by ten percent.

[10:29] Our special populations including our students with

[10:32] disabilities and English language learners has over

[10:34] doubled in the past decade.

[10:37] Our student needs are more complex.

[10:39] We need greater focus on safety, mental health,

[10:42] and comprehensive support.

[10:45] We know this is tough,

[10:46] but we know we must also be intentional on how we manage resources.

[10:50] Eight and a half million dollars we've reduced from our

[10:53] base budget over the past six years through our zero based budgeting,

[10:56] and this includes internal reallocation and cost containment.

[11:00] This also includes two point two million dollars that was

[11:03] cut to our base budget prior to my proposal to our school board.

[11:08] We are fortunate that state at risk funding has been received

[11:11] and is projected to increase for next year and we've been

[11:14] intentional about leveraging those funds for

[11:17] interventionists, deans, security staff and staff stability.

[11:22] We're also working to leverage carryover and year end funds to

[11:25] address non reoccurring needs.

[11:29] As we look at our other funds,

[11:30] we're significantly behind our other neighbors,

[11:33] not just our neighbors to the north,

[11:34] but our neighbors to the south as well,

[11:36] and we need to make progress on our salaries and compensation.

[11:40] This budget provides salary increases needed to support

[11:42] recruitment, retention,

[11:44] and stability that our students and staff desperately need.

[11:48] Our board has also looked closely at health insurance,

[11:50] has made adjustments to to protect take home pay while

[11:54] also working to try to cover some of our rising health care costs.

[11:58] The bottom line is this budget preserves the momentum, performance,

[12:01] and investments that our boards have made in our schools,

[12:04] our kids, and our communities.

[12:07] This position Stafford Schools to move forward in an

[12:09] efficient, intentional, and transparent manner.

[12:13] This slide shows the five year plan for the school's operating

[12:17] budget as was presented to both boards in March of twenty twenty three.

[12:21] At that time, we budgeted the cost for the three new schools to be fifteen

[12:25] point three million dollars for operating costs.

[12:28] Last year in FY twenty six,

[12:30] the costs were estimated to be at five point six million.

[12:34] However, to costs and lack of revenue,

[12:37] these costs were reduced to nine hundred thousand and were

[12:40] deferred to FY twenty seven.

[12:43] In total, now that we're close to FY twenty seven,

[12:45] we're able to take a look at the actual cost including what

[12:48] we are requesting this year and that is three point seven

[12:51] million dollars less than what was included in the five year

[12:55] plan from twenty twenty three.

[12:57] We've also included the license scale investments that were a

[13:00] part of the five year plan that was shared to both boards and

[13:03] doctor Chase will speak to those figures a little bit

[13:05] later in the presentation.

[13:08] In preparing for our new schools, we have done the work.

[13:11] We have redistricted all elementary and high school

[13:14] students across the county.

[13:16] We've established a division wide transition team to help

[13:18] guide the work of the transition.

[13:20] We've developed and executed plans for the movement and

[13:23] reassignment of staff including three hundred staff members who

[13:26] are moving with students.

[13:28] And those rep staff represent nearly eighty percent of the

[13:32] staff required for the new schools.

[13:34] We've created plans to move classroom equipment,

[13:37] shift teacher supplies, curriculum materials,

[13:40] everything that's needed and the list goes on and on.

[13:43] Simply put, we're incredibly thankful for the investment and the

[13:45] challenge and we've met every mark and we're ready to

[13:48] continue to take the steps to get these projects over the

[13:51] finish lines and get them filled with students and staff.

[13:54] The total size of these schools is just over five hundred and

[13:57] sixty thousand square feet covering over a little over a

[14:00] hundred and fourteen acres.

[14:02] And again, this increases our k twelve footprint by ten percent.

[14:07] New schools also come with essential staffing expectations.

[14:11] Every school needs a principal, assistant principals,

[14:14] counselors, social workers, technology staff, librarians,

[14:18] just for example.

[14:19] All of that comes at a cost.

[14:21] And at the same time,

[14:23] opening the new schools really reduce our utilization rates in

[14:26] our elementary schools from ninety nine to a hundred to

[14:29] eighty five percent,

[14:30] and from a hundred and two percent to a little over eighty

[14:33] five percent in our high schools.

[14:35] With these factors in mind,

[14:37] we are carefully planning to ensure each school is properly

[14:39] staffed and supported so that both students and staff can

[14:42] thrive in these environments.

[14:46] While we're intentional about managing costs,

[14:48] our largest expense remains compensation and benefits

[14:51] and that's by design because our people at the heart of

[14:54] everything we do.

[14:56] Investing in our educators,

[14:57] our administrators and staff is an investment in student

[15:00] learning and achievement,

[15:02] an investment in engagement and classroom success and an

[15:05] investment in a strong connected community.

[15:08] We need competitive compensation as this is

[15:10] essential to recruiting and retaining top talent,

[15:14] rewarding our staff for their dedication and expertise,

[15:17] and ensuring that Stafford Schools can continue to attract

[15:20] and keep the best educators in a competitive regional landscape.

[15:25] Simply put, strong staff equals strong schools equals

[15:28] successful students and a successful community.

[15:32] Some increases in this budget are essential,

[15:35] non optional expenses just to keep our schools functioning effectively,

[15:39] and a few of them are displayed here on this slide.

[15:42] For example, the state recently adopted new English and language arts standards.

[15:46] And in FY twenty seven,

[15:48] we're scheduled to adopt new k twelve textbooks and

[15:51] instruction materials that align with these standards to

[15:54] ensure we are teaching our students the right standards

[15:56] that are aligned to the state.

[15:59] We have a new learn we have a learning management system

[16:01] called Canvas that's been supported by the states.

[16:03] The state has previously paid for this and this is our course

[16:06] that houses all all of our courses, our assignments,

[16:09] our student calendars, and resources for teachers and students.

[16:13] It's currently not covered in the state budget,

[16:15] so localities will have to fund it separately.

[16:19] In terms of infrastructure and technology,

[16:21] we currently do not have a cyclic replacement for to

[16:25] replace equipment when it breaks.

[16:27] Establishing a cyclic replacement cycle for

[16:29] technology, buses, and other key infrastructure is a long term solution.

[16:34] And we don't get there in this budget but we take a small step forward.

[16:39] These investments ensure our schools remain functional,

[16:42] effective, and aligned to student needs.

[16:45] In governor Youngkin's proposed budget,

[16:47] Stafford County is projected to receive four point five million

[16:50] in new at risk funding.

[16:52] This funding must be targeted to support students facing

[16:55] higher barriers to learning including students experiencing

[16:59] economically disadvantaged, English language learners,

[17:02] challenging behaviors or discipline,

[17:05] and other students identified by the state criteria.

[17:08] This funding has the potential to have a significant impact as

[17:11] we're focusing on what has been proven to work in our schools.

[17:15] It also in order to achieve this funds,

[17:17] have to have a local match and this plan offsets those

[17:20] costs with costs we were already incurring in our local

[17:23] operating budget.

[17:26] Strategic use of our at risk funding will allow us to focus

[17:29] on supports and stabilizing critical positions.

[17:32] It allows us to improve student outcomes while reducing the

[17:35] local funding pressure.

[17:38] And now I'll turn things over to miss Fingerhultz to speak

[17:41] about our new schools.

[17:43] Thank you.

[17:44] I again want to thank our board of supervisors definitely the

[17:47] ones that are here tonight for funding the construction of

[17:50] Falls Run, Crow's Nest, and Hartwood High.

[17:53] This helps us get back on track to providing adequate

[17:56] infrastructure for educating our Stafford County kids.

[18:00] Kids that rode the bus they parked their car in their

[18:04] decorated spot this morning we're sitting in the car rider lines.

[18:07] These are kids that are already here.

[18:09] Construction of these schools has been on the books for at

[18:12] least a decade.

[18:14] What a great moment for you to be able to cut that ribbon on

[18:18] all that time and all that investment.

[18:21] You will be addressing the large number of trailers,

[18:24] some of the longest bus routes, and overcrowding of lunchrooms,

[18:28] hallways, and classrooms.

[18:30] With less crowding comes better academic possibilities and

[18:33] improved behavior management.

[18:35] You are also adding over eighty stable quality

[18:39] job opportunities for your constituents right here at home.

[18:44] With Hartwood High we will be providing more real world

[18:47] study for our high schoolers with pathways such as live

[18:51] entertainment management and audio engineering.

[18:55] We've all seen the numbers, we've seen the slides,

[18:57] we've seen the progress over the years.

[19:00] Personally I want to share with you one of the most

[19:04] important points.

[19:08] These are not buildings of brick and steel

[19:12] that belong to the school division.

[19:15] These are Stafford's schools, all of ours.

[19:19] Whether a neighbor has children attending them or not,

[19:23] in these walls and around these fields is where our community

[19:26] will continue to connect.

[19:28] Where our seniors from the Falls Run and Celebrate

[19:31] neighborhoods can catch some Friday night lights with their grandkids.

[19:34] Where a new church can gather,

[19:36] where parks and recs can hold indoor basketball games because

[19:39] we've added that to these schools.

[19:42] Where we can have the easiest most cost

[19:46] effective date night at a theater

[19:49] and possibly the cutest as well where our kids will grow

[19:53] memories life lessons and roots.

[19:57] Schools are living breathing parts of a locality's identity and pride.

[20:02] We definitely appreciate you for helping opening three

[20:05] additional ones and growing that pride in our community.

[20:11] Good evening.

[20:12] Before I share with you the role of the interventionist I'm

[20:15] going to give you the bottom line up front.

[20:18] Interventionists ensure that the right amount of academic

[20:21] support at the right time for the students who need the help

[20:24] to improve their performance.

[20:27] Now on with the role of the interventionists.

[20:29] They provide targeted support in reading and math for

[20:32] students with the greatest need.

[20:34] Interventionists deliver research based intervention to

[20:37] strengthen foundational skills and close learning gaps.

[20:41] They monitor student data in real time to adjust instruction

[20:44] for maximum impact.

[20:45] And last but not least,

[20:47] interventionists ensure evidence based strategies are

[20:51] consistent across both classrooms and schools.

[20:54] As you know, we've had interventionists in Stafford County for about two

[20:59] years, I believe, around twenty three,

[21:01] twenty the twenty two I'm sorry, twenty three,

[21:03] twenty four school year,

[21:05] and the data shows that the interventionist efforts are indeed working.

[21:09] Early targeted support is reducing the number of students

[21:12] identified as high risk in reading.

[21:15] Here are some things for you to consider.

[21:17] Students are being identified early and support supported

[21:20] more effectively.

[21:22] Many students no longer require the highest level of intervention.

[21:26] Students are moving toward grade level performance not

[21:29] remaining in high risk categories.

[21:31] And number four, focusing intervention efforts in the earliest grades

[21:35] accelerate growth in literacy and in math.

[21:38] The lowest performing students percentage significant

[21:42] growth demonstrated in the twenty twenty five school year,

[21:46] which obviously is the current I'm sorry.

[21:48] Twenty twenty five to twenty six,

[21:50] which is the current school year.

[21:52] We have included the interventionists in the budget

[21:54] to sustain the progress that has been made.

[21:56] And the last two things I'd like to leave you with is I

[21:59] want you to note that the interventionists were

[22:02] previously funded through grants but are supported by the

[22:05] at risk funding to maintain the momentum,

[22:08] and the interventionists are a top priority for elementary

[22:11] school principals as they are essential to meeting student

[22:14] needs and supporting reading math outcome.

[22:17] Thank you.

[22:20] Miss Randall.

[23:16] Desirable behaviors.

[23:18] This is, oh thank you, oh thank you.

[23:21] Allowing more time, thank you,

[23:23] and attention on teaching and learning.

[23:28] Our administrative teams develop protocols and

[23:31] procedures for their schools, safety plans.

[23:36] A new member has been added to that team in our high schools.

[23:41] Our high schools, they are the dean of students.

[23:44] Their role has increased

[23:48] lowering sorry.

[23:50] With an increase in lower level discipline issues after

[23:54] COVID, these deans are able to receive a message from a

[23:58] teacher, get there, and immediately begin to handle discipline.

[24:04] If they require an assistant principal,

[24:06] they can get that ball process rolling.

[24:10] They can spend some reflection and redirection time

[24:14] with the students,

[24:16] And their service

[24:19] helps to support solid tier one instruction.

[24:24] In addition, we as a division are working to develop our own

[24:28] pipeline of administrators who already have hands

[24:33] on the job training.

[24:35] And currently, we have one at each high school.

[24:39] Our middle school principals have identified dean of

[24:43] students as their top request.

[24:46] In addition, it has been in our five year budget plan.

[24:50] So we are asking for eight of them for our middle

[24:54] schools using our at risk funding.

[24:58] To round out our security people request,

[25:02] we would like to ask for eight school security

[25:06] officers or SSOs.

[25:11] I think,

[25:13] can we turn the page, or flip the slide, thank you.

[25:18] Currently, our high schools have one SRO and three

[25:23] SSOs.

[25:24] Our middle schools share their SRO,

[25:29] and the Stafford County Sheriff's Office,

[25:32] on their website, it's not quite up to date,

[25:35] but they gave us a list of all of our county schools.

[25:38] And you can see some of these deputies'

[25:41] names appear three times because they serve a middle

[25:45] school and two elementary schools.

[25:53] Middle schools have had a slight increase in undesirable

[25:57] behavior and have even moved above our high school

[26:02] data, and we would like to make a strong step

[26:05] towards protecting the teaching and learning

[26:07] time and space.

[26:09] This position works to support our code of conduct,

[26:13] and their duties fall under the direction of the school administration.

[26:18] As you can see on this chart up here,

[26:21] we show that we indeed have SROs in our middle schools and

[26:25] high schools like many of the areas and localities around us,

[26:29] but we do not have as many of our localities around us.

[26:34] We only have the SSOs in high school,

[26:38] not all levels.

[26:39] And so we're asking to take one more step of improvement

[26:42] by bringing them on board in each of our middle schools.

[26:49] An SSO can check hallways, entrances, and exits.

[26:55] They can

[26:57] serve in the car rider and bus rider entries and exits.

[27:01] They would be dedicated to their schools,

[27:03] and they do not get called away for an hour for a day for an

[27:07] hour up to a day with threat assessments.

[27:10] We would like this consideration to be an and and

[27:15] not an or as part of our safety first.

[27:20] Moving on to our SROs, since FY twenty three,

[27:24] we have maintained thirteen SROs.

[27:28] In FY twenty three, we had two,

[27:30] but we moved to three sergeant SROs,

[27:33] but we have maintained that entire time with only

[27:37] five SPOs.

[27:40] Our SROs, as you can see on this slide here,

[27:43] become are an employer or their employer is the Stafford County

[27:47] Sheriff, whereas our SSOs are an employer employed

[27:52] by Stafford County Schools.

[27:54] Yes.

[27:55] As I I did hear your discussion the other day,

[27:58] I don't want you to think I wasn't mindfully part of it.

[28:01] But, yes, they are SROs are armed,

[28:06] and our SSOs are not.

[28:09] We expect our and have a agreed MOU,

[28:13] which you are all given a copy of,

[28:15] that shares and shows the responsibilities of the

[28:19] SROs.

[28:20] And the s and most everything they do has to do

[28:25] with law, whereas our primary responsibilities of

[28:29] our security officers in our building is safety

[28:34] and maintaining the safety of the building,

[28:37] who's coming and going.

[28:39] Also, there are in there are some

[28:42] instances where SROs cannot get involved and the

[28:45] SSOs can.

[28:47] And, again, both of them serve very important roles.

[28:52] We wouldn't want to be without either as we move towards

[28:57] maintaining safety in our schools.

[29:02] Our at risk funding gives us the opportunity to once

[29:06] again, as Doctor.

[29:07] Smith mentioned earlier,

[29:10] being able to bring on these SSOs and

[29:15] new deans of students for our middle school safety and security.

[29:21] So thank you.

[29:24] Yep, so I wanted to speak a little bit about teacher salaries.

[29:30] We

[29:32] about, gosh, I think it was twenty twenty three,

[29:36] we came across the street and we pointed out that

[29:41] we were not at all competitive for teacher salaries,

[29:44] and that we were really losing lots of teachers to the north

[29:48] and to the south of us.

[29:50] And it was noted at the time that public safety

[29:54] were put at market in one year.

[29:58] And there was a board member who's not here today who made

[30:02] the point that the school system had so many more

[30:05] employees that it was really not possible for us to make

[30:09] this market adjustment in a single year.

[30:11] And we understood that.

[30:13] I mean, we're willing to work with the Board of Supervisors.

[30:17] And we were asked to come up with a five year plan.

[30:19] And we did come up with a five year plan.

[30:22] And you can see on this slide,

[30:25] license scale investments, the bottom table there,

[30:29] it shows for twenty twenty four

[30:32] that the five year plan had us

[30:35] getting sixteen point eight million,

[30:37] but we only got fourteen point one million.

[30:39] So we fell behind by two point seven million.

[30:43] Last year, FY20, well the year before that FY25,

[30:48] we were on the money, that's very nice.

[30:50] And then this year we fell behind by

[30:54] six point six million.

[30:57] So

[31:00] part of the, there are a couple factors that have come into play for us with salary.

[31:07] One is we were fortunate enough as we were raising salary to

[31:10] get more experienced teachers.

[31:13] And I tell you as a teacher myself,

[31:15] it takes about three years to become a good teacher,

[31:19] so an experienced teacher is a very valuable thing.

[31:23] But an experienced teacher costs more money,

[31:25] And so as we got more experienced teachers into

[31:28] Stafford County Public Schools,

[31:32] it cost a little bit more money.

[31:33] And as a result, we haven't been able to lift the salary

[31:38] for starting teachers.

[31:39] And so you'll notice on the top table there that this year

[31:43] our starting salary for teachers is fifty thousand six hundred.

[31:48] What we are proposing for next year is an increase to fifty four thousand.

[31:52] That doesn't really get us as competitive as we'd like, but it hopefully

[31:58] our later years where the salaries are higher will help.

[32:01] But you can see proposed for Prince William

[32:03] for next year is sixty five

[32:05] thousand, for Fredericksburg is fifty five thousand,

[32:09] for Spotsie is almost fifty five thousand,

[32:12] and for King George is fifty one thousand.

[32:15] So this budget is asking for

[32:20] enough to have that starting salary be at fifty four

[32:23] thousand rather than fifty thousand six hundred.

[32:28] And why is this important?

[32:31] Study after study shows that the most highest impact on a

[32:36] student is the teacher in the classroom.

[32:38] To have a highly qualified

[32:41] teacher who develops relationships with students

[32:44] makes a huge difference.

[32:45] And so that's why we are asking for this money.

[32:50] And I would just point out that we are working to adjust the scale.

[32:55] We had the scale having three percent steps.

[32:58] We now are suggesting two point one five percent steps.

[33:04] We understand that we're making a big ask for next year.

[33:07] We understand that we're opening three schools.

[33:10] And what I often hear is will the schools just ask for everything?

[33:14] Well we actually aren't asking you to give us all the money

[33:18] for year four and all the money we didn't get last year for

[33:22] year three of the salary scale.

[33:24] We are working with you.

[33:27] We understand that ten point six million to open three

[33:31] schools is a heavy lift.

[33:34] So the next thing I want to

[33:37] mention that's a strain for us is healthcare costs.

[33:41] Health insurance has been increasing every year.

[33:44] For next year we're expecting perhaps a twenty eight percent

[33:48] increase over the current year to catch up to

[33:51] underfunding.

[33:53] And as part of that we are increasing employee premiums next year.

[33:57] We have proposed to increase premiums up to forty seven

[34:01] percent for some of our employees because our premiums

[34:04] have been lower.

[34:05] And this is another way that we're trying to help and not

[34:09] ask for everything in this budget because we do understand

[34:13] it's a heavy lift.

[34:15] Salary and benefits are incredibly important for our

[34:19] goal of getting students the best education that we can.

[34:23] And I think we can see the effect of those experienced

[34:27] teachers in some of the outcomes we've seen in the past

[34:31] year with respect to our schools that our students are doing well.

[34:35] And now let's hear from some of those students.

[34:38] So we have Safi Qureshi and Talia Davis will

[34:42] be giving us their student perspective.

[34:47] Hello everyone.

[34:48] When I was thinking about what to say for today's speech,

[34:50] I had a realization.

[34:51] Most of my memories from this year didn't actually happen at

[34:54] a school dance or a big game.

[34:57] They happened in the five minutes between bells when

[34:59] teachers asked how my weekend was or stayed up,

[35:02] stayed late to explain a concept to me for the tenth

[35:05] time until I finally understood it.

[35:07] What I'm trying to say here is our teachers are the heartbeat

[35:09] of our daily lives.

[35:11] They aren't just experts in their subjects,

[35:13] they're our mentors,

[35:14] our unofficial therapists and sometimes the only people who

[35:17] notice when we're really having a rough day.

[35:20] They pour so much of themselves into us that sometimes we

[35:24] forget that they're human too.

[35:26] But here's the thing, you can't pour from an empty cup.

[35:30] We see our teachers staying late, grading through lunch,

[35:33] coaching a team and supporting a club.

[35:36] It's easy to see the lessons they teach but what really

[35:38] stands out to me is the constant support they give to

[35:41] us even when no one is watching.

[35:44] If we want them to keep showing up for us with that same

[35:47] energy, we need to show up for them.

[35:50] Let's ensure that our teachers feel supported the exact same

[35:53] way that us students feel supported and heard in their classrooms.

[35:57] Building on that,

[35:58] I want to be clear about what it truly means to show up for our teachers.

[36:01] It means providing resources they need so they aren't

[36:04] innovating out of their own pockets.

[36:06] It means actively listening,

[36:07] ensuring that when they voice concerns about classroom sizes

[36:10] or burnout, those concerns are led with direct action.

[36:14] When we prioritize the professional health of our

[36:17] staff, we aren't just helping them,

[36:19] we're ensuring that our schools remain a place of growth rather

[36:21] than a place of stress.

[36:23] By investing in their stability,

[36:24] we're securing the quality of our own education.

[36:27] As student representatives,

[36:29] we see the direct connection between teacher well-being and

[36:31] student success.

[36:33] When teachers feel supported and valued,

[36:34] classrooms are stronger, more stable, and more effective.

[36:38] Investing in our educators, it's not extra,

[36:40] it's essential to long term strength of our schools.

[36:44] When our teachers have the room to thrive,

[36:45] we thrive right along with them.

[36:47] So, I urge the board to keep seeking those tangible ways to

[36:50] champion the people who champion us every day.

[36:52] Thank you.

[36:54] Thank you. We appreciate it. And I would like to thank Mr.

[36:57] English and Ms. Evans for being here.

[37:01] And I just want to remind you that

[37:03] we are delivering results for our students and for our families.

[37:07] This has been a monumental year.

[37:09] It's quite an honor to open three schools,

[37:12] but it is a big challenge.

[37:13] And I know that our staff is working monumentally on those tasks.

[37:18] But we do have to address the fact that our compensation is

[37:21] lagging and we are trying to work with you to

[37:25] make it more feasible for us to increase the salaries where

[37:29] they need to be so that we're competitive and we're

[37:31] recruiting the best teachers and we're keeping the teachers we have.

[37:36] So, a strong community requires a strong school system.

[37:39] We are part of the economic engine that drives our community.

[37:43] And I want to thank you for your continuing support.

[37:45] Doctor. Smith?

[37:49] I think you about said it all there.

[37:50] So, looking forward to working with Mr.

[37:52] Ashton and our supervisors.

[37:54] I hope this presentation has shared some of our needs,

[37:57] and happy to answer any questions as we move forward in this process.

[38:02] Thank you for dinner.

[38:07] Okay. We are adjourned.

[38:09] Thank you.

Stafford School Board 2/26/2026

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