With Richmond officials set to finalize the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget next Monday, leaders from Richmond Public Schools and the People’s Budget initiative are adjusting plans in response to funding levels and proposed changes. Richmond School Board meetings Monday and Tuesday featured discussions of a revised 2026 budget proposal for Richmond Public Schools that includes nearly $13.8 million in reductions.

The change followed the city’s budget proposal, which includes a $9.6 million increase in RPS funding, lower than the $30.8 million school officials requested.

“It is going to be a leaner year for us,” Superintendent Jason Kamras said as he introduced the revised budget. “But it is still a year in which we are expected to increase in revenue and be able to do some important things.”

The largest of the proposed cuts are focused on eliminating around 30 long-open vacant positions in the central office and some schools, representing around $3.1 million in salaries. Cuts of $2.2 million were also proposed for the Operations Office, along with over $1 million in reductions for the Academic, Engagement and Talent Offices.

RPS officials anticipate a budget revenue increase of $14.6 million next year, based on decisions made by city and state leaders and historic tax credit revenue from the rebuilding of William Fox Elementary School. The budget also includes full funding for collective bargaining agreements.

School board members expressed concerns about how removing vacant positions could affect schools.

“I know our staff is mighty,” 4th District member Wesley Hedgepeth said, “but it’s upsetting to see that we’re going to eliminate so many positions.”

More information on the vacant positions will be shared with the Board in the future, and a vote to adopt the budget is expected in June.

The same day the revised RPS budget was shared, the Richmond Peoples’ Budget released the results of its voting process in April, with 33 projects totaling $2.78 million selected for the city’s nine districts.

The People’s Budget initiative continued collecting project ideas and community input even after it was left out of the city’s initial budget proposal. When Mayor Danny Avula first introduced the budget, he said efforts would be made to identify funding within existing allocations. Last month, City Council ultimately decided to reallocate $1.7 million — originally designated for new city vehicles and roadwork on Laburnum Avenue — to support the program.

Interim City Council Chief of Staff Matthew Slaats, who has helped lead the People’s Budget and participated in budget work sessions, said additional methods would be used to complete the selected projects. These include incorporating them into existing capital improvement efforts and using general obligation bonds for longer-term initiatives.

“Richmond City Council has fully committed to the projects that residents have chosen totaling $3 million,” Slaats said. “Our plan is to remain consistent to the projects as described.”