Plus, new oyster bar open in Scott's Addition
 
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RPS budget proposal, by the numbers

Look inside the superintendent’s proposed budget for RPS
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Construction at Richmond High School for the Arts will continue throughout FY25. | Photo by RICtoday
RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras presented his budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 to the Richmond City School Board last night. Here’s an overview of the timeline and what to expect from FY25.

🗓 Budget season 101

Basically, it goes: Superintendent, School Board, Mayor, City Council, School Board.

Budget season begins in January with the superintendent’s proposal. The school board considers the proposal and, if approved, sends it to the mayor in February.

The RPS budget is then incorporated into the mayor’s city budget proposal and presented to City Council around March. After holding hearings and considering changes, City Council should vote to approve the budget in May.

If the city budget ends up with more or less RPS funding than originally proposed, the superintendent goes back to the board with proposed changes. If there are no changes, the school board adopts the final RPS budget.

A pie chart shows the proposed funding sources for Richmond Public Schools in fiscal year 2025 — 59% from the city, 38% from the state, 2.7% from the prior year fund balance, and .2% from federal revenue.

The majority of RPS funding comes from city revenue.

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Graph via RPS documents

💸 In store for FY25

FY25 starts July 1 and goes through June 30, 2025. Superintendent Kamras’ proposal includes an Operating Budget and a Capital Improvement Plan Budget.

The Operating Budget covers day-to-day costs of running RPS and is approximately $516.4 million. The proposal asks for $246.5 million from the city — $25 million more than last year — and most of the rest from the state.

RICtoday_CardinalElementary_RPS

Cardinal is one of the schools participating in the RPS 200 pilot.

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Photo by RICtoday

The proposal highlights changes to the budget in five priorities. Here’s how much funding is proposed for each, plus a few included priorities.
  • Academics | $5.9 million | Expanding RPS200 pilot and shifting funding for education services
  • Talent | $18.9 million | Raises for staff
  • Wellness | $3.2 million | New staff including school counselors and support specialists, and supplies
  • Engagement | $215,000 | Attendance incentives and hiring two additional bilingual family liaisons
  • Operations | $8 million | Hiring facilities personnel and adding funding for repair and maintenance contracts
Meanwhile, the Capital Improvement Plan Budget is for major facility investments. The CIP budget totals around $16.2 million for FY25. It includes improving athletics facilities, fire alarms, HVAC systems, and roofs at numerous schools.

Get into the numbers by reading the full proposal or viewing the superintendent’s presentation via BoardDocs.
Events
Wednesday, Jan. 24
  • Meet the Artist: Thomas Paulk | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 2-3 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Retired Naval aviator and artist Thomas Paulk will discuss his exhibit at the Virginia War Memorial, “Dreams of Flight.”
  • Movie Matinees: “Death on the Nile” | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 2-5 p.m. | RPL West End Branch, 5420 Patterson Ave., Richmond | Free | Enjoy the Hercule Poirot adventure with snacks provided.
  • Meet ChamberRVA | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | ChamberRVA, 919 E. Main St., Ste. 1700, Richmond | Free | Register to attend this in-person introduction to Richmond’s business community.
Thursday, Jan. 25
  • Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 8-10 a.m. | The Crossroads at Bon Air, 9100 Bon Air Crossings Dr., Richmond | $10 | Proceeds benefit Chesterfield first responders.
  • The Gayest Show on Earth | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 6-9 p.m. | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2408-2410 Ownby Ln, Richmond | $10-$15 | This variety show will feature jaw-dropping drag performances and stand-up comedy.
  • Stomping Grounds | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 619 E. Main St., Richmond | $9-$12 | The first edition of this monthly local music series will feature Piranha Rama, The Mitras, and Rikki Rakki.
Friday, Jan. 26
Saturday, Jan. 27
  • Silly Cowgirl Pop-Up Market | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 12-4 p.m. | Pamplemousse Gallery, 300 N. Robinson St., Richmond | Free | Find a new piece for your wardrobe at this hand-painted clothing pop-up.
100+ local events
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News Notes
Open
  • The team behind Lost Letter is now serving up oysters out of Scott’s Addition. Lillian opened last week — try it out Tuesdays-Sundays at 3001 W. Leigh St.
Transit
  • GRTC is hosting a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Main Library to gather feedback on amenity and location options for the upcoming permanent transfer hub. The temporary downtown transfer station opened in September.
Outdoors
  • Learn more about plans for Crooked Branch Ravine Park at a community meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Forest Hill Stone House. The city wants to construct a bridge over Reedy Creek and a trail through Crooked Branch to connect the area with Forest Hill Park. (RVAHub)
Development
  • VCU plans to break ground on its Athletics Village in the spring. The project will transform 42 acres near the upcoming Diamond District into a wide-ranging sports campus with a soccer stadium, tennis courts, an indoor track, fields, and other facilities. (Richmond BizSense)
Festival
  • $10 early bird tickets are on sale now for Daydream Fest. The Memorial Day music festival will feature eight bands, food trucks, and vendors from 1 until 11 p.m. at Main Line Brewery.
Arts
  • Artspace will host an opening reception this Friday, Jan. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. Explore pieces by local artists including prints by Aimee Joyaux, multimedia sculptures by Dymph de Wild, and quilts by Bridgette Newberry.
Edu
  • Henrico has its Divisionwide Spelling Bee champion. Ro Thomas, a seventh grader at Tuckahoe MS, will compete in the Richmond Times-Dispatch Regional Spelling Bee in March. The winner of that bee advances to the national contest.
Watch
  • A showstopping block from the VCU men’s basketball game against Saint Louis on Friday made it onto SportsCenter’s Top Ten plays over the weekend. Sophomore Tobi Lawal came up with the stop when Terrence Hargrove Jr. drove to the basket. The Rams won the game, 85-61.
 
Eat

🍽️ Veg out during V72x2

Where to eat during Vegan Restaurant Week in Richmond
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Philly Vegan has vegan milkshakes, tacos, and steak stackers as special offerings. | Photo by @sonyasfoodforthought
Richmond’s 144-hour plant-powered event kicks off today. V72x2 — aka Vegan Restaurant Week — continues through Sunday, Jan. 28.

Put on by Richmond Vegan Action, the annual event encourages local restaurants to offer unique or new vegan options and raises funds for a cause. This year, donations will go towards Matchbox Mutual Aid.

Each of the participating businesses has specials for the week. We’ve got our eye on the vegan Chik’n biryani at Gold Lion Community Cafe and the new carrot ginger flavor from Ninja Kombucha.

Already hungry? Download a passport and get a free sweet treat from Ruby Scoops when you collect five stamps.

To enjoy vegan and vegetarian-friendly eats all year long, check out our guide.
The Buy

The Buy 1.23.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
These butterluxe high-waisted leggings. Considered a Lululemon alternative by reviewers, they’re made of buttery soft fabric and feature gentle compression.
Answered

We asked readers which classic Richmond festival you’re looking forward to the most.

Your ultimate guide to Richmond festivals
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The Folk Fest returns in October. | Photo by RICtoday
It’s true what they say — the Folk Fest is the best. 65% of respondents said they’re counting down the days until the Folk Festival. Riverrock came in second with 15%.

We also heard love for the Greek Festival, Pridefest, and the Iron Blossom Music Festival.

Click the button below to see when all your favorite block parties will return to the streets of Richmond.
Every Richmond festival
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The Wrap
 
Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin
From the editor
If you want to get more involved in RPS, you’re in luck. There are a bunch of strategic plan meetings on the books. Get more information.
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