Concerns grow as Richmond Schools considers $22M in budget cuts

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Potential cuts to Richmond Public Schools' (RPS) 2026-27 budget are drawing pushback from employees, parents and community members.

Dozens of people gathered outside River City Middle School on Monday, Feb. 9 ahead of a school board meeting, rallying against $22 million in proposed budget cuts they say would impact both students and staff.

"When people ask where that number really hits, the answer is simple: it hits students," one student said. "It hits classrooms where students wonder who will help them when they struggle."

At recent budget meetings, RPS officials said the proposed cuts could eliminate summer school, reduce mental health programs, and shut down the district’s online learning program: Richmond Virtual Academy (RVA).

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"We call again for a needs-based budget that prioritizes the protection of frontline staff, student services and programs serving historically marginalized students," one speaker said.

Board members said they want to find a way to keep summer school, mental health programs and RVA.

However, they said the budget proposal could also result in the loss of around 50 full-time central office positions.

Feb. 9 rally prior to the Richmond School Board's FY 2026-27 budget town hall. (Photos: Sara Molina/8News)

Feb. 9 rally prior to the Richmond School Board's FY 2026-27 budget town hall. (Photos: Sara Molina/8News)

Feb. 9 rally prior to the Richmond School Board's FY 2026-27 budget town hall. (Photos: Sara Molina/8News)

Feb. 9 rally prior to the Richmond School Board's FY 2026-27 budget town hall. (Photos: Sara Molina/8News)

Other potential measures include splitting rising health insurance costs between the district and employees, furloughing senior staff for two days, and freezing employee pay raises for one year, though annual step increases would remain in place.

"It undermines overall educator morale and staff retention," another speaker said. "We need to keep the best of the best and not cycle through transient people."

Superintendent Jason Kamras said he shares most of the same concerns raised by the community.

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"There’s nothing about cuts that I am happy about," Kamras said. "None of these things do I want to do. It’s really important that if there are going to be cuts that would impact employees, that they know now and not in June."

RPS leaders said the proposed cuts are necessary to balance the budget because of limited funding from the state and city for the upcoming school year. The district added that inflation and the loss of one-time funding sources have made things difficult.

RPS officials said their priorities now include school construction and modernization, K–12 funding reform and student mental health.

Kamras said an audit is done by an outside company each year and it's publicly available on the school's BoardDocs. He also said he is happy to provide it directly to anyone concerned.

A proposal is to be submitted to the Mayor's office for consideration in March. For now, board members said they are working to convince lawmakers to allot more funding to education.