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March 26, 2018
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<br />Economic Development is the capstone for the four Strategic Budget Initiatives in the
<br />Proposed FY 2019 Budget. They are Education, Workforce Development, Continuity of
<br />Investment, and Unique Financing Opportunities.
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<br />Growth is never by chance. It is the result of working toward, creating access to resources
<br />thereby transforming Portsmouth. To achieve the FY 2019, Strategic Budget Initiatives
<br />will require an investment-driven process.
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<br />Education Highlights:
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<br />The first strategic initiative is Education.
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<br />Education is the best investment we can make – one that pays off in countless dividends
<br />for our children, community, and city. To improve the quality of life in our city, attract new
<br />industries, and continue to prosper as a community, excellent schools are essential.
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<br />Over the past three years, I continue to work closely with Dr. Elie Bracy, III,
<br />Superintendent of Portsmouth Public Schools. I like to acknowledge Dr. Bracy as the
<br />recipient of the Virginia Parent Teacher Association, Superintendent of the Year Awarded
<br />in July 2017. As colleagues, we meet weekly to discuss, envision, and address many
<br />aspects of continuity in education.
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<br />In the FY2019 Budget, I am proposing an increase in the Portsmouth Public Schools
<br />Local Share funding of $396, 000 dollars for a total of 52.8 million dollars.
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<br />With the recent events relating to the safety of this nation’s students, school safety is
<br />more important today, than ever before it is of critical importance that we keep our
<br />students safe. As such, I am proposing to provide funding for Nine (9) additional Security
<br />Resource Officers that will complete a compliment of 19 School Resource Officers in
<br />Portsmouth Public Schools.
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<br />Also, I recommend that City Council authorize an immediate 1 million dollars from the
<br />General Fund Balance as an ONE TIME allocation to begin the review of school security
<br />measures and identify where security enhancements are necessary. I will immediately
<br />host a meeting with Superintendent Bracy to begin the process for making our schools
<br />safer. This ONE TIME funding will allow for the acquisition of critical equipment and
<br />measures identified from our discussion.
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<br />On April 24, 2018, Mayor, Vice Mayor and Members of City Council I will bring forth an
<br />Ordinance for your consideration in the City Manager’s Report. I humbly recommend that
<br />you give this Ordinance your favorable consideration.
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<br />Education Highlights – CIP Projects:
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<br />In 1919, W. B. Bates built the first Woodrow Wilson High School, located on High Street,
<br />the school valued at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) equivalent to
<br />five million, two hundred twenty-nine thousand, two hundred and ninety-seven dollars
<br />($5,229,297) today. This 24,000 square foot building consisted of all modern
<br />conveniences and equipment, including manual training, domestic science, art, physical
<br />training, gymnasium, auditorium and a cafeteria. The road which City Manager Bates
<br />traveled over 100 years, is almost identical to the road ahead for me as City Manager as
<br />I look to 2019.
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<br />On January 25, 2018, MB Kahn Construction Company-Incorporated, consultants for
<br />Portsmouth Public Schools, presented the School Facilities Study that evaluated the
<br />division’s current school facilities, condition, uses and maintenance needs.
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<br />I am proposing in the FY2019 Budget, the design, and engineering of a NEW MIDDLE
<br />SCHOOL. The building of a new middle school will provide space for Portsmouth Public
<br />Schools six graders to move to the middle school once completed.
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<br />Also, I am recommending funding the on-going Churchland High School HVAC
<br />Replacement; the construction of the Mount Herman Preschool Center Bus Loop, the
<br />construction of a Churchland Academy Parking Lot and the continuation of the investment
<br />of $1 million for School Bus Fleet Replacement.
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