Mayor Danny Avula, members of the Richmond City Council, the Richmond City School Board, and Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras met on August 29 for a joint education briefing. The session was held to prepare for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget cycle and to strengthen cooperation in support of public education in Richmond.
During the meeting, both the City Administration and Richmond Public Schools presented their budgets. They discussed key issues that could affect the FY 2027 budget, such as updates to the city’s real estate assessment process, capital improvement requirements, and broader economic conditions.
Officials said that this gathering allowed each organization to better understand one another’s budgeting processes. The aim is to develop long-term funding plans that are sustainable and help support students and families in Richmond.
“This was an impactful, constructive gathering of our schools, the Mayor, and City Council – a true demonstration of shared purpose. Together, we not only acknowledged the challenges facing our education system and the city, we also reaffirmed our collective commitment to collaborate, take action, ensure every child and family has access to the strong public schools and resources they need to thrive,” says Richmond City Council President Cynthia Newbille.
“As an RPS parent and a spouse of an RPS teacher, I know well the challenges Richmond Public Schools faces. Real progress will come through intentional communication, collaboration, and a shared commitment to our students and community. I’m grateful we came together to become more informed for the benefit of our students, families, and teachers, and to move closer to a truly thriving Richmond,” says Mayor Danny Avula. “We will continue to build on our insights and take the next steps forward together.”
“In a city like Richmond, collaboration is the way to go. The same kids who come to our schools travel our streets, visit our parks, and need public housing and transportation. While we face daunting budget pressures, I have no doubt that we can come together to find solutions in the best interest of our students,” says Superintendent Jason Kamras.
The three groups plan further cooperation as they work toward solutions for funding challenges faced by local schools.
