Residents urge Roanoke City Council to spare school staff and after‑school programs in proposed FY26–27 budget

Public speakers at the Roanoke City Council recess meeting on April 23 urged the council to protect school funding and classroom support in the recommended fiscal year 26–27 budget.

"Teaching assistants, reading specialists, instructional aids, are not extras," said Laura Wade, a teaching assistant at Waseena Elementary, who told the council that she had been notified her position could be affected by budget cuts. Wade asked officials to prioritize school staffing over new murals or other amenity spending.

Jonathan Snow, an assistant dean in the School of Education, Government, and Society and a city resident, acknowledged the city's fiscal constraints but said he had "a harder time from both a policy standpoint and as a constituent justifying the reclaiming of the school's rainy day fund." He urged preservation of the PLATO gifted program and activity buses that allow students from across the city to participate in after‑school activities.

Several speakers framed the budget choices as matters of equity and long‑term cost. David Anderson, a Roanoke resident and parent, warned elected officials they would "remember it when we return to the ballot box this fall" if schools lose programs that support students. Ricardo Graves, an advocate for diversity and awareness, said cuts would hit underserved communities hardest and called for clearer communication and partnership approaches rather than short‑term cuts.

Student speakers described immediate consequences. "I think PLATO should stay because it has changed my life," said Kinley, a PLATO participant, who reported collecting petition signatures and cited a private pledge to support the program if it continues. Eighth grader Grace Henderson said larger class sizes and the loss of activity buses and gifted programs would reduce opportunities and, she said, "Without good schools, Roanoke will die."

One commenter who described a budget review blueprint urged the council to pause "nonessential amenity spending"—citing a proposed $33,000,000 for amenities—and to order a 90‑day structural review of capital spending, arguing that stormwater needs (described as a $140,000,000 backlog) and fleet replacement costs (identified as $19,000,000) are being deferred.

Council members did not take a vote at the hearing. The chair closed the public comment period on the budget and scheduled a May 4 informal budget study session and a May 11 meeting at 2 p.m. when the council will consider adoption of the recommended FY26–27 budget and related measures, including the proposed real estate tax rate.