Lynchburg City Schools Begin New Year With Five-Year Plan and Push to Invest in Teachers

Lynchburg City Schools is entering the new school year with a long-term plan focused on student achievement, attendance, teacher pay and preparing students for life after graduation.

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Lynchburg City Schools is beginning a new academic year with a new five-year strategic plan while school leaders work through the financial challenges of a state-approved 4% raise for teachers.

The district had originally built its budget around a projected 2% teacher raise. When the state ultimately approved a 4% increase, the change created a budget difference of a little less than $2 million, according to the school division.

Teacher Pay and the Budget

Lynchburg City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kristy Somerville-Midgette said the division moved forward with the 4% increase while continuing to monitor its available funds.

City Council is expected to reconvene later this month as officials work toward finalizing the budget. 

A New Five-Year Plan

The district is also beginning the school year with a new five-year strategic plan designed to address some of the biggest challenges facing Lynchburg City Schools.

The plan is expected to remain in effect through 2031, with goals centered around growth, opportunity and success.

Focus on Student Achievement

Improving student achievement is one of the major priorities under the new plan.

Lynchburg City Schools was ranked 122nd out of 131 school divisions statewide in a Virginia Department of Education ranking referenced by the district. The ranking considered factors including test scores, student growth, graduation rates and post-graduation readiness.

School leaders say the goal is to improve outcomes and give more students opportunities after graduation.

Addressing Chronic Absenteeism

Chronic absenteeism will also be a major focus this school year.

School leaders say getting students into classrooms consistently is important because students need the instructional time necessary to succeed.

Free Meals Continue

Lynchburg City Schools will also continue providing free breakfast and lunch to all students this school year.

Families do not need to complete an application or sign up to receive the meals.

What's Ahead

The new school year marks the beginning of a longer-term effort to improve student outcomes, support educators and address some of the challenges facing Lynchburg students and families.

With the five-year plan now underway, the community will be watching how the district's goals translate into measurable progress.

Q Spot News will continue following Lynchburg City Schools and other developments affecting the local community.