Without disclosing details, the Virginia Beach School Board gave Superintendent Donald Robertson a raise and contract extension while division employees reeled from a jump in health insurance costs.
The decision to adjust Robertson’s contract was in the works well before the Aug. 12 school board meeting, but some board members acknowledged the timing of the vote was unfortunate and the absence of public discussion about what the body was considering shouldn’t happen again.
“I absolutely believe the public should know we’re considering a negotiation, considering a salary increase, and the details made public once they’re reached,” school board member Melinda Rogers told WHRO.
A board majority voted for the raise during an administrative workshop, explaining it as an amendment to Robertson’s contract. During the meeting, Rogers was among a minority on the board who said their opposition was about timing.
School Board member Alveta Green told Robertson he’d done a “great job,” but she’d received “heart-wrenching” calls from staff about health care. She added, “For me, it’s about the optics.”
The division provided a copy of the superintendent’s contract and amendments to WHRO. Robertson’s salary, as of July 1, 2025, is $320,849 per year, up by an additional $15,000 on top of an earlier raise this year, consistent with his contract. He’ll also receive $15,000 annually in deferred compensation, and the board added two years to his contract.
The specifics were not discussed in public Aug. 12. The same day, the Virginia Beach City Council approved raises for appointees, including City Manager Patrick Duhaney, and details were known in advance.
School Board Member Matt Cummings, who voted against Robertson’s raise, said the board should have let the public understand what they were about to decide, even if negotiations leading to a decision needed to remain private.
“The public deserves to know what’s going on,” he said.
School Board Chairperson Kathleen Brown on Monday said the superintendent sought an increase based upon the market, and she said the matter was handled consistently with past actions.
“That’s how it’s always been done,” Brown said.
Robertson, a longtime schools administrator, was appointed superintendent in February 2024 at a starting salary of $282,700 per year. His initial contract was set to expire on June 30, 2027.
The board approved a contract amendment in May 2024 related to compensation for unpaid leave. The change was not described in detail to the public before that vote. At the time, School Board Member Kim Melnyk served as chairperson. On Monday, she said details of such amendments were considered a personnel matter.
Hours after approving Robertson’s contract changes on Aug. 12, district staff briefed the board on health care premium increases set to take effect in January that mean hundreds of dollars in additional monthly health care costs for some workers and retirees.
Some may see their costs double.
One-hundred twelve teachers and staff are suing the district over the rate increases, claiming the division withheld information until many educators were locked into annual contracts.
Attorney Tim Anderson, who represents the employees and is running to represent District 97 in the House of Delegates, called it a “bait and switch.” Plaintiffs seek a “one-year fix,” understanding premiums may rise next school year, he said.
Division staff told the School Board on Aug. 12 the increase is related to medicine costs and high-cost claimants, and the change in premiums would be consistent with what city employees pay.
Robertson said he understood the “sticker shock,” but said the board defrayed growing costs over the past two years.
“We were waiting as long as we possibly could before making this decision,” he said, noting the announcement came well before the open enrollment period for insurance.
The Virginia Beach Education Association called for the board to hold a special meeting and address the issue. Members of the School Board also requested a special meeting.
VBEA is not involved in the lawsuit filed by Anderson.
“Ideally, we’d love for the School Board to find revenue streams to ease the burden of the health insurance premiums,” Heather Sipe, VBEA’s president, told WHRO.
She said the timing of the announcement meant many teachers couldn’t seek employment elsewhere. Given the situation, Sipe called the board’s decision to give the superintendent a raise “tone deaf” and “a real morale-crusher.”
The division emailed a statement to WHRO that said Robertson’s contract was a personnel matter and the amendment was announced before the board went into closed session on Aug. 12.
Robertson declined an interview request.
The board scheduled a special meeting for Aug. 27 to discuss the insurance costs.
Virginia Beach City Public Schools is a member of the Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association, which holds WHRO's license.