NORFOLK, Va. — Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that school board members will accept public comment about the budget again during the board's regularly scheduled 4 p.m. work session on March 1.
Norfolk school board members heard a first round of public feedback Wednesday night, concerning the superintendent's roughly $400 million budget proposal.
Among a slew of items in her plan, Dr. Sharon Byrdsong looks to boost recruitment and retention efforts, while also enhancing safety and security measures.
Across the water in Newport News, the division there bought standing metal detectors for all their schools, after the shooting inside Richneck Elementary. The same could be said in Norfolk come time for the new school year.
A handful of people spoke before the board Wednesday, voicing their opinions on the superintendent's budget proposal. One big concern was employee pay.
A portion of the recommendations laid out by Dr. Byrdsong increases starting pay for teachers from $49,500 to $53,000.
"Which brings them to step 2," said Steven Jenkins, chief finance officer of Norfolk Public Schools.
Across the board, Byrdsong's estimate of needs report averages the pay raise for teachers at 6.91%. The plan also includes bonuses for new hires.
As for bus drivers, those subbing in would get a full-time rate of $22.75.hour, versus $15.30.
Meanwhile, Laquetta Mackey, president of the Norfolk Federation of Teachers, raised concerns about the proposal. She believes what is on the table could do more to value the loyalty and efforts of veteran educators and staff members.
"They're here because they're committed, but they should not have to choose whether they're going to pay a bill or put food on the table," said Mackey.
Some teachers are pleading for a one-year, one-step pay scale.
"Because our step 10 may be years of experience for 20 years, and in another district, year 10 is step 10," Mackey added.
One parent asked the board: "Are we working smarter and harder together?"
"They need us to stand by them," said a local pastor.
The proposal also addresses safety, including updates to security cameras and software.
"We are seeking 18 additional school security officer positions. We're also asking to increase the pay for school security officers," said Byrdsong in a work session with board members Wednesday. "We're asking to advance five of those positions to supervisor positions, such that each high school will have their own zone. So, there'll be a supervisor for each high school zone."
Brydsong also said to expect the arrival of weapons detection systems, which cost roughly $1 million.
"We ... want to install these weapons detections systems in each school, each school site," she said.
She promised a fast screening process with the devices. As for who will man and monitor them, Director Public Safety & Security Services Tim Mallory said the following:
"I wouldn't say additional staff, but we'll have to identify those who'd have to operate it during the arrival time in the mornings, and try to figure out what to do for visitors coming into the building also."
School board members plan to accept public comment about the budget again during the 4 p.m. work session on March 1.
They are expected to vote on the proposal on March 15, and then pass it over to city council for their approval by April 1.
Take a look at some superintendent proposals for security improvements in neighboring school divisions:
Portsmouth also seeks funding to bring weapon detection systems to all schools. The superintendent wants to add 20 new part-time school security officers on top of creating a full-time school safety coordinator.
In Virginia Beach, the budget proposal includes more than $660,000 to fund security assistants and plans for more safety measures, like two-way radios and new surveillance cameras.