Frequently Asked Questions

This document is designed to assist you with helpful tips for reading and understanding the budget document. The Norfolk  Public Schools (NPS) budget document is comprised of four major sections:

   What is a General (Operating) Budget?

The General (Operating) Budget funds all educational programs and related services serving approximately 26,000  students of NPS. It is on a fiscal year basis, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Approximately 84.7% of the NPS Operating Budget supports employee salaries and benefits.

 

What is the total amount of the General (Operating) Budget?

The total amount of the FY2024 Superintendent's Proposed Educational Plan and Budget is $401,301,749.

 

What are the sources of funds for the General (Operating) Budget?

Norfolk Public Schools receives operating budget revenues from four sources:

• State
  • Standards of Quality (SOQ) funding - provides funding to school divisions based on March 31st Average   Daily Membership.
  • Categorical funding – focuses on particular needs of special populations or fulfills particular state obligations. State or federal statutes and regulations mandate much of this funding, i.e. adult education, homebound, etc.
  • Incentive-Based funding – programs that are voluntary but, in order to receive state funds, school divisions   must certify that they will offer the program and provide a local match of funds for the program, i.e. compensation supplement, math/reading specialists initiative, at risk programs, etc.
  • Lottery-Funded Programs – lottery proceeds allocated directly to school divisions to fund the state share of cost for the following programs: K-3 primary class size reduction, SOL Algebra Readiness, regional tuition, Virginia Pre-School Initiative, Early Reading Intervention, etc.

• City – The City of Norfolk adopted a Local Revenue Allocation Policy on May 22, 2018, that allocates a consistent 29.55 percent share of non-dedicated local tax revenues streams to support education.

 

• Federal – there are two major sources of federal revenues:
  • Federal Impact Aid - based on the number of children in Norfolk who are associated with or impacted by federal programs. Impact Aid helps to mitigate the loss of tax dollars due to income and property connected with the federal government that is not subject to local property tax. Children living in government-supplied housing on a military base are examples.
  • Medicaid reimbursement - based on Medicaid eligible students to whom approved services are rendered.
• Other – revenues collected for tuition, fees, indirect costs and in-school related services.

 

What are the steps in developing the General (Operating) Budget?

The development of the operating budget is a 12-month process beginning in October of each year that involves the collaborative effort of the School Board, Superintendent, Executive Leadership Team, teacher associations, the budget department, and the public. Detailed instructions and funding projections for the next fiscal year are provided to departments. As a prelude to developing the proposed budget, a public hearing is held to gather community input. Departments enter their requests into the financial system with explanation of funding needs at this time.