During a unanimous vote on Thursday night, the Portsmouth School Board approved its budget for the upcoming year, totaling $269.3 million, an increase of nearly $20 million from the previous year. The budget includes initiatives to retain and recruit staff, as well as funding for technology upgrades and athletic security coverage to enhance security and operations within the school district.
One notable inclusion in the budget is funding for an administrator to oversee the new career and technical education center. This center will offer programs in welding, masonry, carpentry, medical training, and more. The Diagnostic, Adjustive and Corrective Center, previously a closed preschool for about a decade, is undergoing a $13 million renovation to accommodate these new programs. The center is expected to open in the fall.
The approved budget now awaits approval from the city council. Any potential changes to the division’s budget are contingent upon state budget decisions by the legislature and governor. Once state budget decisions are finalized, adjustments may need to be made to the school division’s budget.
In related news, there are concerns about the state of Hampton Roads’ schools, which are facing billions of dollars in deferred repairs. The community is debating whether to renovate or replace these crumbling school facilities.
