Under the new budget proposed by Mayor Danny Avula, Richmond Public Schools are expected to receive a major boost to their capital improvement budget, the fund used to repair schools.

The fund, which was $2.5 million last year, is proposed to be $9.3 million this year. The suggested allocation of money comes close to achieving nearly all of the division’s infrastructure projects for the upcoming school year, like replacing roofs, windows, and HVAC systems.

“It’s really exciting to have that amount of money. Our needs are enormous, and so having access to $9 million rather than $2.5 million is fantastic,” said Superintendent Jason Kamras.

As part of the increase, however, the city is front-loading the money, meaning the extra money the schools get in the coming budget year will require reduced funding in later years. So for fiscal years 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031, RPS would receive $795,500 each year for capital improvements, according to city budget projections. 

Both Kamras and School Board Chair Shavonda Fernandez (9th District) confirmed that the decision to front-load the money was the city’s, but they said the extra funding helps address the district’s decades-old buildings. 

“Historically, our infrastructure needs for RPS have far exceeded the allotment provided year over year with a few exceptions,” Fernandez said in a statement. “This is because our needs are so massive.”

The repair money is separate from the schools’ general operating budget, which includes an $8.2 million increase this year. 

Last month, RPS Chief Operating Officer Patrick Herrel identified 24 improvement projects for the upcoming school year that cost the amount the mayor proposed giving to the division for capital improvements. Replacing the windows at Albert Hill Middle and Bellevue Elementary alone will cost $1.9 million for each school. 

Board member Wesley Hedgepeth (4th District) later asked that the Board add a parking lot, drop-off and pick-up loop project for Westover Hills Elementary to the list of projects, costing $1 million and bringing the total amount of projects to $10.3 million.

The front-loading could further delay future school improvement plans. During a recent City Council Education and Human Services Committee meeting, Herrel presented a 10-year roof replacement plan, which includes a $3.5 million roof replacement for Armstrong High School for sometime in 2027. 

“If we are to expect $2.5 million per year for the next several years, there is no year during which we would be able to replace the Armstrong roof,” he told councilors – let alone in the upcoming years when the division is expected to receive less than $1 million.

Board member Stephanie Rizzi (5th District) is the chair of the facilities and vacant property committee, which helps make decisions about all school infrastructure. She said that, while helpful, the division has far more needs than the allocated money will cover and the front-loading is a bit concerning. 

“We can try not to spend all of that money, but if we do we will have other needs that will come up in subsequent years,” she said.

However, she believes that the city will provide more funding to schools in the future, as “this mayor has said that schools are one of his priorities.” 

“I don’t want to sound an alarm or be an alarmist just yet because I can only hope that the city will understand that we have very vast needs,” she said.

Kamras said that he also understands the city is committed to finding the extra money to pay for school infrastructure. 

The school officials said they are now looking to the General Assembly to provide that extra money through legislation that would allow local voters to approve a 1% sales tax for school construction and modernization.

While that bill died in the Senate, the proposal remains under consideration as part of ongoing state budget negotiations. If ultimately approved by voters, it could generate roughly $50 million annually for Richmond schools.

Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at vifatusin@richmonder.org