Higher local supplements for veteran teachers, covering driver education costs and state-mandated raises for teachers and saving teacher assistant jobs are among the budget priorities the New Hanover County school board will send to the county commissioners.
The board met Tuesday to lay out spending proposals for the local share of the schools’ budget. The state funds about 60 percent of New Hanover County’s budget. In the fiscal year that begins July 1, the school board is asking for an operating increase of $5.1 million over the 2014-15 local allocation of $67.9 million.
Teachers with at least 26 years of experience would receive an additional local supplement equal to 9 percent of their salary. All teachers now receive an 8 percent supplement. But veteran teachers received only a small pay raise last year when the N.C. General Assembly increased pay for beginning teachers to $33,000. Some experienced teachers got less than a half-percent raise.
The budget also includes raises or bonuses for other employees.
The schools’ request includes some items that may be funded by the state. The N.C. General Assembly eliminated funding for driver education programs but still requires that school districts provide them. Districts may charge up to $65 per student, but the actual cost is about $270 per student. There are proposals to restore state money for driver ed, but the county will have to take on the cost if the legislature does not act.
Likewise, some teacher and teacher assistant positions could be funded by the state, but as it stands Superintendent Tim Markley said the budget must assume that the cost will fall to the local government.
The board spent several hours discussing individual budget items, including a proposed suspension center at the former Roe elementary and preschool center and additional clerical positions to help with standardized tests.
The suspension center would house students with both short-term and long-term suspensions, as well as a transition program for students who have been in the juvenile justice system. Currently short-term suspensions are served at home, which Deputy Superintendent Rick Holliday said is not a good solution.
Resident Steve Lee questioned the need for such a center, noting that school suspensions have decreased over the past several years. The school district has made reducing suspensions a priority, but school board members said they still believe the center is needed.
“If there is a chance to salvage these kids, I like that,” board member Bruce Shell said.
Markley’s budget had the suspension center opening in January 2016, but after discussion the board decided to wait until fall 2016. Markley said that would provide a cushion should necessary renovations on Roe run into delays. The budget request includes money for a principal, who would start halfway through the school year to help with planning, but not the teachers needed.
The commissioners will get the schools’ $73 million request by May 4 and will decide whether to fund it or to make cuts. County Manager Chris Coudriet’s preliminary budget includes $3.4 million in additional operating money for the schools, much less than the board’s request.
In addition to the operating funds, the request also includes a local allocation of $3 million for capital needs such as technology, vehicle replacement, furniture and renovations.
