By Haley Thomas, contributor
Harrisonburg City Public Schools will relocate nearly 80 students to Bluestone Elementary under a redistricting plan the school board approved to ease overcrowding at Waterman Elementary.
The school board, after months of review, voted unanimously at Tuesday’s work session for students from Vine Street to shift to Bluestone Elementary instead of those from Rockingham Drive. Voting on an action like this was unusual for a work session.
“It’s not a normal practice to vote at a work session,” Superintendent Michael Richards said. “In this case, we need the families to be informed in a timely manner, and we need to notify staff.”
Richards said this move is critical for Waterman, which is operating at 22% over capacity. Board members said community input shaped their decisions to move the students on Vine Street rather than those on Rockingham Drive.
“We sought out input from those who are going to be affected,” Board Chair Emma Phillips said, adding that the district also used various methods to gather public comments.
Board member Kristen Loflin said what ultimately shaped her decision was that Vine Street is both walkable and bikeable. Board member Andy Kohen added that while both options cause “some disaccommodation,” Vine Street seems to cause the fewest challenges of the two.
“I think the families from Vine Street are going to be very happy, but again, I know it is an emotional strain,” Richards said, adding that Bluestone will host a potluck dinner for new students and families to connect with one another. “We’re an amazing community, and our families give us a lot of grace.
2025-26 school budget update
Harrisonburg City Public Schools’ latest budget draft has taken a $176,152 trim since the board’s March 4 meeting, landing at $131.3 million after the city dialed back debt service and transportation projections. Superintendent Michael Richards pitched the revised plan — down to a 5.4% increase from last year — at Tuesday’s school board meeting, reflecting updated costs for a district expecting 6,812 students next fall.
The updated proposal, covering operations and nutrition, now seeks $49.97 million from the city, a 5.7% bump or $2.71 million more than FY25 — trimmed from the $50.2 million (6.12%) floated two weeks ago. State funds hold at $70.6 million (56.6%), federal aid at $3.8 million (3.1%), and local revenues at $396,542 (0.3%).
Staffing remains a priority, with 40 new full-time roles — 20 English Learner teachers, 10 special education staff, and several others — still in play at $3.5 million. A 3% raise for all 1,157 employees, plus an extra 6% for custodians, teacher assistants and nutrition assistants, holds firm at $2.4 million, though state aid only offsets Standards of Quality positions. Substitute teacher pay will get a $200,000 boost to address ongoing staffing challenges.
The board aims to finalize the budget on April 10, with the city council’s May 31 deadline now the next hurdle for Harrisonburg’s revised budget plan.
“We present a needs-based budget, not a wants-based budget,” said board member Andy Kohen. “And that’s been my experience for over a decade. If something has to be reduced, it’s going to hurt.”
Thanks for reading The Citizen, which won the Virginia Press Association’s 2022 News Sweepstakes award as the top online news site in Virginia. We’re independent. We’re local. We pay our contributors, and the money you give goes directly to the reporting. No overhead. No printing costs. Just facts, stories and context. We value your support.
