Manassas Park Schools Unveil $64.8M FY26 Budget Focused on Literacy, Staff Pay, and Student Wellness

On Tuesday, Manassas Park City Schools presented the governing body with a $64.8 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The budget outlines key priorities to improve academic performance, boost teacher compensation, and expand student wellness and mental health services.

Superintendent Dr. Melissa Saunders and Finance Director Mr. Lyon led the presentation, which showcased the division’s efforts to balance rising costs with a continued decline in student enrollment.

“This budget reflects our commitment to reimagining the school experience, supporting our staff, and ensuring our students are safe and supported every day,” said Saunders.
Key Budget Priorities

The FY26 budget, approved by the School Board on March 3, is structured around four major priorities:

• Literacy and Math Improvement: Expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act compliance to middle school grades and the addition of 43 English Language Learner (ELL) teaching positions to meet updated state mandates. The school division’s ELL population now makes up 45% of the student body, compared to the state average of 12%.
• Staff Compensation and Benefits: Teachers and classified staff will receive an average 5.2% raise, including a 2% step and 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Managerial staff will receive a 4.2% average increase. The top pay scale staff will receive a $1,000 supplement. The budget also includes six weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment and increases paid time off to 15 days annually.
• Student Support Services: The budget adds a school counselor, a Dean of Students at the high school, and front office staff to assist with increased call volume. It maintains three attendance specialists and extends the use of Care Solace, a 24/7 multilingual mental health care referral service for students, families, and staff. Free breakfast and lunch for all students will continue.
• Sustainability: The division will draw $872,078 from the City’s School Reserve Fund to help cover salary obligations. That fund, created in 2023, is intended to stabilize school funding as enrollment declines and staff costs rise.

Student Enrollment Declining, Needs Increasing

Enrollment is projected to dip slightly to 3,372 students next year, down from 3,624 in 2020. At the same time, student needs have increased significantly:

• 55% of students are economically disadvantaged
• 15% receive special education services
• 45% are English Language Learners

Saunders noted that while enrollment declines, the staffing demands grow due to state requirements for lower student-teacher ratios in high-need populations.

Long-Term Forecast Raises Concerns

A five-year budget forecast included in the presentation shows rising shortfalls beginning in FY27, with a projected $4.7 million gap by FY30. The FY30 projection also includes a placeholder $36 million investment in a potential Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing at the high school.

Despite the looming financial challenges, school leaders emphasized that the FY26 budget reflects careful planning and a “needs-based, zero-based” development process.

Capital Projects and Other Highlights
The FY26 capital budget includes $2.1 million in school infrastructure upgrades, including bus replacements, generator installations, lighting and flooring improvements, and front entrance safety upgrades.

The budget also maintains free meals for all students, funded through the division’s food services fund.

What’s Next
The School Board’s approved budget will now be incorporated into the City of Manassas Park’s overall FY26 budget. No formal action by the Governing Body was required during the March 18 meeting.

“We’re proud of the work being done in our schools and believe this budget reflects our community’s values,” said Saunders.

Editor’s note: View the full budget presentation.