Mayor Danny Avula announced on Mar. 10 a proposal to allocate $257 million to Richmond Public Schools in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2027 budget, marking an $8.2 million increase over the previous year and the largest allocation ever for the school system. The announcement comes ahead of the full release of his proposed budget on March 11.
The proposed funding is part of Pillar Three: Thriving Families, which focuses on supporting the education, health, and development of children and families both inside and outside the classroom. The goal is to ensure all students graduate from Richmond Public Schools prepared for further learning and career opportunities.
In 2025, Richmond Public Schools achieved its highest graduation rate since 2016, with more than 80% of students graduating. Mayor Avula said, “Our children deserve learning environments that are safe, enriching, and full of opportunity. This budget invests in the full ecosystem around our young people — strong schools, caring adults, and the programs that help students learn, grow, and thrive beyond the school day. We’ve seen the amazing outcomes that happen when you couple resources with dedicated caregivers, educators, and staff. Let’s keep it going, RPS!”
Beyond operational funding for schools and capital improvements for facilities, Avula’s FY27 proposal includes several investments aimed at supporting children and families: $500,000 to support Communities in Schools site coordinators; $500,000 for childcare tuition assistance through the Early Child Care & Education Trust Fund; $1 million for after-school programming at all seven zone middle schools via the Middle School Alliance; $850,000 toward Positive Youth Development initiatives to provide out-of-school opportunities for youth ages 11-19; and $625,000 to fund grants for local nonprofits supporting education and family development.
These investments reflect a comprehensive approach intended to strengthen educational outcomes across age groups while providing support systems for caregivers. The full FY27 proposed budget will be presented publicly on March 11 before being submitted to City Council for review.
