https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates daily 0.75 2026-03-22 https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/fy-27-budget-update monthly 0.5 2026-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1773781953753-TBJ2JIL2Y4SRJCRQL2YE/unsplash-image--8a5eJ1-mmQ.jpg Updates - FY 27 Budget Update The next step in the budget process is that City Council will deliberate the full City budget, including the School Board’s request, throughout April. The General Assembly will reconvene in April to finalize state funding. City Council will vote on a final budget in May. The Governor will sign the state budget around the same time. Richmond Public Schools will adjust our FY27 budget in June, based on City Council + State funding. Our FY27 budget will go into effect when the new fiscal year starts on July 1, 2026. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/we-need-homes-for-all-our-neighbors monthly 0.5 2026-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1773533059653-MF6CB9QX1XIG1JHIQH0O/unsplash-image-fXkoHG4dYxA.jpg Updates - It takes a village to raise a child, and we need homes for ALL our neighbors This past year alone, I’ve spoken to several Northside families about the struggle to afford housing. I’ve met families that have had to move out of the City, leaving behind the schools and communities their kids love, in order to afford housing. The proposed changes will make Richmond city zoning more flexible, which will enable more housing options so that Northside families (and ALL City families) can stay in their neighborhoods and in their schools. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/a-tough-budget-year-in-fy-27 monthly 0.5 2026-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1769488524516-MDV67KTPTB0M7FIXH7N6/unsplash-image-8Eiq70dFgU0.jpg Updates - A tough budget year in FY 27 - FY27 Budget Pressures Priority 1: Academics (Example: Higher Cost of Exceptional Education Services) - $5,358,863 Priority 2: Talent (Example: Raises, Step increases, health insurance costs increase) - $17,371,305 Priority 3: Wellness (Example: Higher Cost of Nursing Services) - $112,000 Priority 4: Engagement (Example: Higher Cost of Attendance Initiatives) - $139,800 Priority 5: Operations (Example: Higher Cost of Transportation and Fuel) - $2,890,055 Other (Example: Expiration of Special Revenue Funds) - $5,397,651 TOTAL Amount - $31,269,674 https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/a-new-quality-rating-system-for-our-schools monthly 0.5 2026-01-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1768774959551-SKTXBJEYJ8QQ931N9NWK/unsplash-image-NhlIPS1L9pI.jpg Updates - A new quality rating system for our Schools In the first year of this new accountability system, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) has had: five distinguished schools, nine on-track schools, 23 off-track schools, and five schools ‘in need of intensive support.’ https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/the-status-of-our-school-buildings monthly 0.5 2025-08-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/727a296b-a71a-4160-9549-c2e55416ac62/2025+maintenance+costs.png Updates - The status of our School Buildings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/weve-passed-a-new-budget-fy26 monthly 0.5 2025-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1749919517135-QQJY2YO8EITDJKLRLH9V/unsplash-image-5OUMf1Mr5pU.jpg Updates - We’ve passed a new budget (FY26)! Fully funding all of our collective bargaining commitments with an additional investment of $16.5 million, including a 3% raise for all teachers increases investment in our district wide literacy and graduation goals, with a special emphasis on the unique needs of our multilingual learners https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/what-has-rps-accomplished-with-recent-funding-increases monthly 0.5 2025-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1743277692390-VBSF0UH04TUN009CBSES/unsplash-image-gsRi9cWCIB0.jpg Updates - What has RPS accomplished with recent funding increases? - How can Richmonders learn about how our schools are doing? First is our Dreams4RPS strategic plan outcomes report 2018 - 2023. This was a difficult period of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there were still some improvements we are able to celebrate! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1743277808437-RNDKDR3G7P9OFMVN5JJG/unsplash-image-5f1RsK-pyZQ.jpg Updates - What has RPS accomplished with recent funding increases? - How is RPS using its money? We’re in the process of developing the budget for next fiscal year. In addition to the budget, the School Board is given updates on how the budget is being spent through monthly financial reports. These reports are posted online publicly as part of school board meetings. I’m pasting reports for the past two months below: February January https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/chat-with-your-3rd-amp-6th-district-school-board-members monthly 0.5 2025-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/d4ad2112-b51f-40e7-be0c-53f0cd3c30be/ali+and+shonda.jpeg Updates - Chat with your 3rd & 6th District School Board Members! Join 3rd District School Board Member Ali Faruk and 6th District School Board Member Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed at the Southern Barton Heights Civic Association meeting scheduled for Wednesday April 16th at 6:30 PM at the North Avenue Branch - Richmond Public Library. A portion of the agenda will be dedicated for providing updates regarding Richmond Public Schools (RPS). There are many 6th district RPS students who attend schools in the 3rd district so this is a great chance to have a collaborative discussion! https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/join-me-this-sat-march-1st-at-1100-am monthly 0.5 2025-02-23 https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/reducing-teacher-vacancies-draft-fy-26-budget monthly 0.5 2025-02-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1740237426911-K2OZKYOERA011H3IVWBL/unsplash-image-fY8Jr4iuPQM.jpg Updates - Reducing teacher vacancies - draft FY 26 budget - RPS defines “high vacancy” or “hard to staff” schools as those with 15% or greater teacher vacancy rate or those with at least 10 teacher vacancies. Using this definition, the current high vacancy/hard to staff schools are: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1740237791772-YDDPVP1ZA9X4Y5R92EG4/unsplash-image-2s_2FrqXLUM.jpg Updates - Reducing teacher vacancies - draft FY 26 budget - Do these bonuses work? Last year, we distributed bonuses to 344 new hires. As of January 31, 2025, we have retained 87.2% of those hires. This year, we distributed bonuses to 164 new hires. As of January 31, 2025, we have retained 96.9% of those hires. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1740269603486-0ENFOFHLYXPK8DGLKRUF/unsplash-image-o-MyHqEEHoM.jpg Updates - Reducing teacher vacancies - draft FY 26 budget - The School Board has a budget work session scheduled for Tuesday February 25th at 6:00 PM. 3rd District residents can email me at afaruk[at]rvaschools.net. Other city residents can contact their school board members here to give them feedback on the RPS budget. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/intro-to-the-draft-fy26-richmond-public-schools-budget monthly 0.5 2025-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1739649867033-LPPN06UDBF0MY94LB5DJ/unsplash-image-Ok76F6yW2iA.jpg Updates - Intro to the draft FY26 Richmond Public Schools Budget - The RPS budget for the current fiscal year (FY 25) is roughly $414 million. Of this, about $239 million comes from the City of Richmond. The City of Richmond provides roughly 60% of the revenue for the schools operating budget. Just under 40% comes from the Commonwealth of VA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1739680171723-9SZTDC0AI8I99HDS4RZ5/unsplash-image-AeMzmxBwS70.jpg Updates - Intro to the draft FY26 Richmond Public Schools Budget - Budget Cuts: There are roughly $7.9 million worth of cuts in the draft FY 26 budget. The largest single item among the cuts is a reduction of about $4 million only covering half the healthcare cost increase and passing along the other half of the health care cost increase to people on the RPS employee health plans. In previous years RPS had been covering 100% of the health care cost increase. The School Board has a budget work session scheduled for Weds February 19th at 6:00 PM. 3rd District residents can email me at afaruk[at]rvaschools.net. Other city residents can contact their school board members here to give them feedback on the RPS budget. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/southern-barton-heights-civic-association-meetings monthly 0.5 2025-02-07 https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/weve-begun-developing-next-years-school-budget monthly 0.5 2025-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/8aac02d1-ae4e-4d28-927d-e9d464567e59/rps+budget+process.jpg Updates - We’ve begun developing next year’s school budget - Make it stand out At the Jan 21st School Board meeting, the Superintendent presented his estimate of needs for the proposed FY 26 budget. You can review this document and contact your school board members to give your thoughts. Below are two upcoming public comment opportunities for the FY26 RPS budget: https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/a-strong-start-for-our-new-school-board monthly 0.5 2025-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/c0e6e572-c2c8-4e9d-bbac-b35208f2ada7/WhatsApp+Image+2025-01-08+at+18.06.14.jpg Updates - A strong start for our new school board - Hello friends & neighbors! We’ve made big changes to improve governance and student outcomes. The new year has brought a fresh start for our School Board! We began with unanimous elections for our new leadership: Chair Shavonda Fernandez (9th District) and Vice-Chair Matthew Percival (1st District). https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/honored-and-humbled monthly 0.5 2024-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/511260a6-b155-4e9c-b429-cd6da0e878ef/PXL_20241106_000132666.jpg Updates - Honored and Humbled! - Friends, neighbors, and community members, Thanks to your support, our campaign was successful! You can see the full election results here. I am honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me to serve as your next school board member from the 3rd District. I'd like to thank both Charlene Riley and Kevin Starlings for running robust campaigns and for their ongoing commitment to our students. Since we first launched this campaign, we have remained focused on the need to improve student outcomes, keep our schools safe, advocate for more resources, and retain quality staff. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/teamsters-endorse-ali-for-school-board monthly 0.5 2024-11-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/3d80d7d2-c812-4a0a-a792-e2336fda898b/teamsters.jpg Updates - Teamsters Endorse Ali for School Board - Make it stand out Teamsters Local 322 proudly endorses Ali Faruk for the 3rd District School Board. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/headlining-the-richmonder monthly 0.5 2024-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/3df5127b-feca-455d-95aa-1127bdb4aeca/unnamed.png Updates - Headlining The Richmonder - Make it stand out Thank you to Sarah Vogelsong for her fantastic questions and for all of her reporting on the city’s school board races. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/richmond-crusade-for-voters-endorses-ali monthly 0.5 2024-10-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/835cdb79-c78b-4b29-a8bf-6a1c3cc63315/3482bb11-320b-4b54-9996-bed391c43ed1_1258x1552.jpg Updates - Richmond Crusade for Voters endorses Ali! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/rethinking-school-funding-in-virginia monthly 0.5 2024-09-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1727519765012-IF4QKLJXT92BAMOOEXEZ/unsplash-image-GDokEYnOfnE.jpg Updates - Rethinking School Funding in Virginia This joint subcommittee heard from experts including the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), and Senate and House Appropriations Committees staff. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/recap-ali-in-the-news monthly 0.5 2024-09-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/56762fc9-3fbe-43ae-84a4-b2f552306073/IMG_3219.jpg Updates - Recap: Ali in the news! - On Sunday Sept 1st, Ali spoke at Trinity Baptist’s Candidate Forum for all City Candidates. Trinity Baptist on Fendall Ave hosted a candidate forum for all city candidates which included people running for Mayor, City Council and School Board. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/0a6ab1d8-5176-4742-b310-487aedd95d64/IMG_20240924_235600.jpg Updates - Recap: Ali in the news! Ali spoke at the Candidate Forum organized by Northside civic associations on Tuesday Sept 17th at Linwood Holton Elementary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/44a3ad59-4018-4d03-9030-0082e6139d1e/PXL_20240923_220121736.jpg Updates - Recap: Ali in the news! On Monday Sept 23rd, Ali participated in the School Board Candidate Forum organized by the League of Women Voters. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/upcoming-candidate-forums monthly 0.5 2024-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/576e76e7-aaec-4d6a-955e-6bd5f242f794/LWVRichmondMetro_rgb-e1567785886431.jpg Updates - Upcoming Candidate Forums If you can’t attend the candidate forum on Sept 17 described above, the League of Women Voters and The Richmonder are organizing a candidate forum specifically for School Board Candidates on Monday, September 23rd 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Huguenot High School located at 7945 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA, 23225. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/educators-community-leaders-endorse-ali monthly 0.5 2024-08-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/9ddaa809-11a3-4062-85da-4ac366a15d04/moore.jpg Updates - Educators, Community Leaders Endorse Ali! - Prior to her recent retirement, Jennifer K. Moore served as the Principal of Barack Obama Elementary School on Fendall Ave for 19 years. "As the recently retired principal of Barack Obama Elementary School, I had the opportunity to work closely with Ali, his wife and two boys. They are an active and valuable part of our Barack Obama family. I know Ali will be a strong representative on the Richmond City School Board from the 3rd district." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/16d9f9e7-2b9c-45e2-bad1-995e5d7d47cb/chris.JPEG Updates - Educators, Community Leaders Endorse Ali! - A long time northside resident, Chris Hilbert served as the 3rd District City Councilman from 2005 to 2021. “I have known Ali Faruk for over a decade. We met when he was an advocate for fair and affordable housing. I endorse his candidacy because I know he'll be a committed and responsive public servant who will demand accountability and work hard to raise educational outcomes for all RPS students.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/a1c366c3-f700-49a1-b690-4cae4cf25fd0/atifqarni.jpg Updates - Educators, Community Leaders Endorse Ali! - Prior to serving as Governor Northam’s Secretary of Education, Atif Qarni was a middle school teacher from 2007 to 2017 "Ali is a passionate advocate for justice and an experienced public servant. More importantly, he's an active and involved parent, husband, and neighbor. He works hard to listen, learn, and move forward thoughtfully. I'm proud to endorse him for the Richmond City School Board in the 3rd district." https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/rva-dirt-summer-survey-series monthly 0.5 2024-08-25 https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/come-knock-on-doors-with-ali monthly 0.5 2024-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/7351a852-551c-4d8a-8576-43e47ec50d6d/IMG_20240603_152256.jpg Updates - Come Knock on Doors with Ali! - Join me at our first Canvass! I’ve served the Richmond community throughout my career. Working in government and nonprofits, I have spent more than 15 years advocating for our City’s families and children. I’ve worked in housing, health care, family violence prevention, and behavioral health. I’m a proud Richmond Public School parent and I’m so excited to introduce myself and our school board campaign to the voters of the 3rd district! https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/teacher-appreciation-week-started-on-may-6 monthly 0.5 2024-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/53d7a7f6-b917-4795-8db4-bfccc152001f/image-asset.jpg Updates - Teacher Appreciation Week started on May 6 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/meet-ali-at-taste-of-brookland-park-today monthly 0.5 2024-04-27 https://www.alifarukrva.com/updates/run-for-something-endorses-ali-for-richmond-city-school-board monthly 0.5 2024-04-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/541d4214-c085-474a-aeb7-ab59fabb89b5/VA_Ali_Faruk.jpg Updates - Run for Something endorses Ali Faruk for Richmond City School Board - Responding to the endorsement, Ali Faruk said: "I'm honored to receive RFS's endorsement." Faruk said. "Raising and educating kids is so different now than it was even 20 years ago, and our next school board representative must confront this reality with bold, collaborative leadership. That's why it's so important that our young people have a say in how our public school system supports and nurtures families and brings teachers, parents, and students together around common solutions. By advocating for equitable policies, resources, and transparency, I will work with my community to create an environment that ensures all children have the opportunity to succeed.” https://www.alifarukrva.com/about daily 0.75 2026-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/01776578-7f3d-4142-acf0-0c9e2ff671d2/_I2A8310.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/7933f506-44ff-4285-a299-b78aa4a04782/_I2A8452.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/fa40078e-0fed-463c-bdf4-9d7293d605bd/_I2A7572.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/a26b2efd-04f4-40e8-95e5-970f2a5a8a8d/PXL_20230320_145243457.jpg https://www.alifarukrva.com/home daily 1.0 2025-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/563f0011-4fe4-4f08-bb7f-b25ba8ee6bf2/_I2A7730.jpg https://www.alifarukrva.com/voting daily 0.75 2024-11-10 https://www.alifarukrva.com/get-involved daily 0.75 2026-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65ecb5bfc770f0386fe07703/1711918621523-BW3Y3BSYMVP8D0X7SMKR/_88A7022.jpg https://www.alifarukrva.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-01-17