The Norfolk School Board is poised to significantly raise its members’ salaries, transitioning from the lowest pay in the region to one of the highest, if the proposal is approved by the board and the Norfolk City Council. The plan, set to take effect in January 2027, aims to increase annual pay for board members from $3,060 to $25,000, while the chair’s salary would rise from $5,100 to $27,000.
This proposal would position Norfolk’s compensation alongside that of the Hampton School Board, which recently approved similar salary increases. The Hampton board’s members would also see their pay rise to $25,000 and the chair’s salary to $27,000. According to data provided to The Virginian-Pilot by various Hampton Roads school districts, only the Hampton board would match Norfolk’s proposed compensation levels.
Justification for Salary Increase
Sarah DiCalogero, chair of the Norfolk School Board, defended the proposed salary increase in an email statement, noting that board member compensation has remained unchanged for nearly two decades. The last salary adjustment occurred when the board was appointed rather than elected, and when it consisted of only seven members. DiCalogero pointed out that board members were volunteers until 1997, when salaries were set at $3,000 for members and $4,000 for the chair.
She emphasized the need for increased compensation to eliminate financial barriers that may deter individuals from working-class backgrounds or younger generations from seeking board positions. “Increased compensation could remove financial barriers that may keep some individuals from working families or younger generations from campaigning for the position,” DiCalogero stated.
The board will vote on the salary proposal at an upcoming meeting, although a specific date has not yet been announced.
Community Support and Broader Trends
Community members have expressed their views on the proposed salary increases. During a public input hearing in November, Kate Powell, executive director of Tidewater Arts Outreach, spoke in favor of the plan. She highlighted the district’s relatively large student population of approximately 26,000 and acknowledged the challenges faced by the School Board. Powell also noted that students of color constitute a significant portion of the student body, advocating for measures to ensure the board represents this diversity. “I believe this compensation plan is one of those steps,” Powell remarked.
Other school boards in the Hampton Roads area have also recently raised their salaries or are in the process of doing so. The Virginia Beach School Board voted in 2023 to increase member salaries from $12,000 to $20,000, with the chair earning $22,000, effective January 1, 2024. Meanwhile, the Suffolk School Board unanimously approved an increase in January, raising annual member salaries from $10,000 to $15,000 and the chair’s salary from $11,400 to $16,400, starting July 1.
The proposed salary increases in Norfolk would align the School Board’s compensation with that of the city council members, who currently earn $25,000 annually, while the mayor receives $27,000, as per city documents. DiCalogero noted that the demands placed on board members have intensified alongside the challenges faced by the educational system. She emphasized that board members must possess a range of skills, including governance strategies, data interpretation, finance, and community engagement, all while navigating a contentious political landscape.
“The position demands a lot of hours, often consuming evenings, weekends, and days away from work,” DiCalogero stated. She concluded by arguing that compensation should reflect the significant time and effort required to fulfill these responsibilities.
